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JANE AUSTEN 



LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN 




/^ . C72L::^i.'t^'ic^^^^^^ 



Frot)i a Piiiiiti)tg in t/w possession of the Rev. Morlaiid Kice, 
of Brambcy. 



PREFACE. 



The recent cult for Miss Austen, which has re- 
sulted in no less than ten new editions of her 
novels within a decade and three memoirs by dif- 
ferent hands within as many years, have made the 
facts of her life familiar to most readers. It was a 
short life, and an uneventful one as viewed from 
the standpoint of our modern times, when steam 
and electricity have linked together the ends of the 
earth, and the ver}' air seems teeming with news, 
agitations, discussions. We have barely time to 
recover our breath between post and post; and the 
morning paper with its statements of disaster and 
its hints of still greater evils to be, is scarcely out- 
lived, when, lo! in comes the evening issue, con- 
tradicting the news of the morning, to be sure, but 
full of omens and augurieS of its own to strew our 
pillows with the seed of wakefulness. 

To us, publications come hot and hot from the 
press. Telegraphic wires like the intricate and 
incalculable zigzags of the lightning ramify above 
our heads; and who can tell at what moment their 



iv PEEFACE. 

darts may strike? In Miss Austen's day the 
tranquil, drowsy, decorous English day of a century 
since, all was different. News travelled then from 
hand to hand, carried in crealdng post-wagons, or 
in cases of extreme urgency by men on horseback. 
When a gentleman journeying in his own '* chaise " 
took three days in going from Exeter to London, a 
distance now covered in three hours of railroad, 
there was little chance of frequent surprises. Love, 
sorrow, and death were in the world then as now, 
and worked their will upon the sons of men; but 
people did not expect happenings every day or even 
every year. No doubt they lived the longer for 
this exemption from excitement, and kept their 
nerves in a state of wholesome repair; but it goes 
without saying that the events of which they knew 
so little did not stir them deeply. 

Miss Austen's life coincided with two of the 
momentous epochs of history, — the American 
struggle for independence, and the French Eevolu- 
tion; but there is scarcely an allusion to either in 
her letters. She was 'interested in the fleet and its 
victories because two of her brothers were in the 
navy and had promotion and prize-money to look 
forward to. In this connection she mentions Tra- 
falgar and the Eg^qjtian expedition, and generously 
remarks that she would read Southey's "Life of 
Nelson " if there was anything in it about her 
brother Frank I She honors Sir John Moore by 



PREFACE. V 

remarking after his deatli that liis mother would 
perhaps have preferred to have him less distin- 
guished and still alive; further than that, the 
making of the gooseberry jam and a good recipe for 
orange wine interests her more than all the march- 
ings and countermarchings, the manoeuvres and 
diplomacies, going on the world over. In the 
midst of the universal vortex of fear and hope, 
triumph and defeat, while the fate of Britain and 
British liberty hung trembling in the balance, she 
sits writing her letters, trimming her caps, and 
discussing small beer with her sister in a lively 
and unruffled fashion wonderful to contemplate. 
<'The society of rural England in those days," as 
Mr. Goldwin Smith happily puts it, "enjoyed a 
calm of its own in the midst of the European tem- 
pest like the windless centre of a circular storm." 

The point of view of a woman with such an en- 
vironment must naturally be circumscribed and 
narrow; and in this Miss Austen's charm con- 
sists. Seeing little, she painted what she saw 
with absolute fidelity and a dexterity and perfec- 
tion unequalled. '• On her was bestowed, though in 
a humble form, the gift which had been bestowed 
on Homer, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Scott, and a few 
others, — the gift of creative power." Endowed 
with the keenest and most delicate insight and a 
vivid sense of humor, she depicted with exactitude 
what she observed and what she understood, giving 



VI PREFACE 

to each fact and emotion its precise shade and vahie. 
The things she did not see she did not attempt. 
Affectation was impossible to her, — most of all, af- 
fectation of knowledge or feeling not justly her own. 
'' She held the mirror up to her time " with an ex- 
quisite sincerity and fidelity; and the closeness of 
lier study brought her intimately near to those hid- 
den springs which underlie all human nature. This 
is the reason why, for all their skimp skirts, leg- 
of-mutton sleeves, and bygone impossible bonnets, 
her characters do not seem to us old-fashioned. 
Minds and hearts are made pretty much after the 
same pattern from centur^^ to centur}'; and given a 
modern di-ess and speech, Emma or Elizabeth or 
dear Anne Eliot could enter a drawing-room to-day, 
and excite no surprise except by so closely resem- 
bling the peo^ile whom they would find there. 

"Miss Austen's novels are dateless things," 
Mr. Augustine Birrell tells us. "Nobody in his 
senses would speak of them as 'old novels.' 
'John Inglesant' is an old novel, so is ' Ginx's 
Baby.' But Emma is quite new, and, like a wi'se 
woman, affords few clues to her age." 

We allude with a special touch of affection to 
Anne Eliot. "Persuasion," which was written 
during the last two j-ears of IVIiss Austen's life, 
when the refining touch of Eternity was already 
upon her, has always seemed to us the most per- 
fect of her novels; and Anne, with her excpii- 



PREFACE. vii 

site breeding and unselfish straightforwardness, 
just touched with the tender reserve of memory and 
regret, one of her best portraitures. But this is a 
matter of individual taste. Doubtless Elizabeth 
Bennet is '* better fun," as the modern girl would 
say. Miss Austen herself preferred her. She had 
a droll and pretty way of talking about her char- 
acters which showed how real they were to her own 
mind, and made them equally real to other people. 
In 1813 she had the good luck to light upon a jjor- 
trait of Jane Bennet at an exhibition. 

" I was very well pleased (pray tell Fanny) with a 
small portrait of Mrs. Bingley, excessively Uke her. I 
went in hopes of seeing one of her sister, but there was 
no Mrs. Darcy. Perhaps I may find her in the great 
exhibition, which we shall go to if we have time. Mrs. 
Bingley's is exactly like herself, — size, shaped face, 
features and sweetness; there never was a greater like- 
ness. She is dressed in a white gown, with green or- 
naments, which convinces me of what I had always 
supposed, that green was a favorite color with her. I 
dure say Mrs. D. will be in yellow." 

And later : — 

" We have been both to the exhibition and Sir J. 
Reynolds'; and I am disappointed, for there was nothing 
like Mrs. D. at either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. 
prizes any picture of her too much to like it should be 
exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have 
that sort of feeling, — that mixture of love, pride, and 
delicacy. " 



viii PKEFACE. 

The letters included in this series comprise 
about three quarters of the collection in two vol- 
umes published in 1884 by her great-nephew Lord 
Brabourne. The lightness, almost friskiness, of 
their tone cannot fail to strike the reader. Modern 
letters written by w^omen are filled more or less 
with hints and queries; questionings as to the 
why and the wherefore occur; allusions to the 
various "fads" of the day, litevar}' or artistic, — 
Ibsen, Tolstoi, Browning, Esoteric Buddhism, 
Wagner's Music, the Mind Cure, Social Science, 
Causes and Reforms. But Cowper and Crabbe 
were the poetical sensations in Miss Austen's 
time, Scott and Byron its phenomenal novelties; 
it took nionths to get most books printed, and 
years to persuade anybody to read them. Further- 
more the letters, in all probability, are carefully 
chosen to reveal only the more superficial side of 
their writer. There are wide gaps of omission, 
covering important events such as Mr, Austen's 
death, the long illness through which Jane 
imrsed her brother Henry, and the anxieties and 
worries which his failure iu business caused to 
the whole family. What is vouchsafed us is a 
glimpse of the girlish and untroubled moments of 
Miss Austen's life; and the glimpse is a sweet and 
friendly one. We are glad to have it, in spite of 
our suspicion that another and even more interest- 
ing part of her personality is withheld from us. 



rREFACE. IX 

A good daugliter, a deliglitful sister, the most 
perfect of aunts, what better record could there be 
of a single woman? Her literary work never 
stood in the way of her home duties, any more 
than her "quiet, limpid, unimpassioned stj'le " 
stood between her thought and her readers. 

Her fame may justly be said to be almost en- 
tirely posthumous. She was read and praised to 
a moderate degree during her lifetime, but all 
her novels together brought her no more than 
seven hundred pounds; and her reputation, as it 
were, was in its close-sheathed bud wdien, at the 
early age of forty-one, she died. It would have 
excited in her an amused incredulity, no doubt, 
had any one predicted that two generations after 
her death the real recognition of her powers was 
to come. Time, which like desert sands has ef- 
faced the footprints of so many promising authors, 
has, with her, served as the desert wind, to blow 
aside those dusts of the commonplace which for a 
while concealed her true proportions. She is 
loved more than she ever hoped to be, and far 
more widely known. Mrs. Ritchie tells some- 
where an anecdote of a party of seven assembled 
at a dinner-table, where the question arose of the 
locality of one of Miss Austen's places, — Maple 
Grove, the residence of Mr. Suckling, if we are not 
mistaken, — and six of the persons present at once 
recognized the allusion, and had a formed opinion 



X PREFACE. 

on the subject. The seventh was a Frenchman 
who did not read English! 

Scott, Macaulay, Sir James Mackintosh, Miss 
Martinean, Mrs. Ritchie, Miss Mitford, and a 
host of others have vied in their generous tributes 
of admiration. But most striking of all, to our 
thinking, is that paid to Miss Austen by Lord 
Tennyson when, in some visit to Lyme not many 
years since, those with him pointed out this and 
the other feature of the place only to be inter- 
rupted with — "Never mind all that. Show me 
the exact spot where Louisa Musgrove fell!" 
Could non-historical verisimilitude go farther or 
mean more? 

S. c. 

Newport, June, 1892. 



J 



LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 




Stevexton, Thursday (January 16, 1796). 
HAVE just received yours and Mary's 
I j^l letter, and I thank you both, though 
their contents might have been more 
agreeable. I do not at all expect to see 
you on Tuesday, since matters have fallen out so 
unpleasantly; and if you are not able to return till 
after that day, it will hardly be possible for us to 
send for you before Saturday, though for my own 
part I care so little about the ball that it would be 
no sacrifice to me to give it up for the sake of see- 
ing you two days earlier. We are extremely sorry 
for poor Eliza's illness. I trust, however, that she 
has continued to recover since you wrote, and that 
you will none of you be the worse for your attend- 
ance on her. Wliat a good-for-nothing fellow 
Charles is to bespeak the stockings! I hope he 
will be too hot all the rest of his life for it! 



12 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. 

I sent you a letter yesterday to Ibthorp, which 
I suppose you will not receive at Kintburj'-. It 
was not very long or very witty, and therefore if 
you never receive it, it does not much signify. I 
wrote principally to tell you that the Coopers were 
arrived and in good health. The little boy is very 
like Dr. Cooper, and the little girl is to i-esemble 
Jane, they say. 

Our party to Ashe to-morrow night will consist 
of Edward Cooper, James (for a ball is nothing 
without him), Buller, who is now staying with us, 
and I. I look forward with great impatience to it, 
as I rather expect to receive an offer from my 
friend in the course of the evening. I shall refuse 
him, however, unless he promises to give away his 
white coat. 

I am very much flattered by your commendation 
of my last letter, for I write only for fame, and 
without any view to pecuniary emolument. 

Edward is gone to spend the day with his friend, 
John Lyford, and does not return till to-morrow. 
Anna is now here; she came up in her chaise to 
spend the day with her young cousins, but she does 
not much take to them or to anything about them, 
except Caroline's spinning-wheel. I am very glad 
to find from Mary that INIr. and Mrs. Fowle are 
pleased with you. I hope you will continue to 
give satisfaction. 

How impertinent you are to write to me about 



1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 13 

Tom, as if I had not opportunities of hearing from 
him myself! The last letter that I received from 
him was dated on Friday, 8th, and he told me that 
if the wind should be favorable on Sunday, which 
it proved to be, they were to sail from Falmouth 
on that day. By this time, therefore, they are at 
Barbadoes, I suppose. The Rivers are still at 
Many down, and are to be at Ashe to-morrow. I in- 
tended to call on the Miss Biggs yesterday had the 
weather been tolerable. Caroline, Anna, and I have 
just been devouring some cold souse, and it would 
be difficult to say which enjoyed it most. 

Tell Mary that I make over Mr. Heartley and 
all his estate to her for her sole use and benefit in 
future, and not only him, but all my other admirers 
into the bargain wherever she can find them, even 
the kiss which C. Powlett wanted to give me, as I 
mean to confine myself in future to Mr. Tom Lefroy, 
for whom I don't care sixpence. Assure her also, 
as a last and indubitable proof of Warren's in- 
difference to me, that he actually drew that gen- 
tleman's picture for me, and delivered it to me 
without a sigh. 

Friday. — At length the day is come on which I 
am to flirt my last with Tom Lefroy, and when you 
receive this it v/ill be over. My tears flow as I 
write at the melancholy idea. Wm. Chute called 
here yesterday. I wonder what he means by 
Ticing so civil. There is a report that Tom is 



14 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1706. 

going to he married to a Lichfield lass. John 
Lyford and his sister bring Edward home to-day, 
dine with us, and we shall all go together to Ashe. 
I understand that we are to draw for partners. I 
shall be extremely impatient to hear from you 
again, that I may know how Eliza is, and when 
you are to return. 

With best love, etc., I am affectionately yours, 

J. Austen. 
Miss Austen, 

The Rev. Mr. Fowle's, Kintbury, Newbury 



II. 

Cork Street, Tuesday iriorn (August, 1796). 

My dear Cassandra, — Here I am once more 
in this scene of dissipation and vice, and I begin 
already to find my morals corrupted. We reached 
Staines yesterday, I do not (know) when, without 
suffering so much from the heat as I had hoped to 
do. We set off again this morning at seven o'clock, 
and had a very pleasant drive, as the morning was 
cloudy and perfectly cool. I came all the way in 
the chaise from Hertford Bridge. 

Edward ^ and Frank '^ are both gone out to seek 
their fortunes; the latter is to return soon and 

^ Miss Austen's second brother. 

2 Francis, afterward Sir Frauds Austen, Senior Admiral 
of the Fleet, aud K. C. B. 



1726.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 15 

lielp us seek ours. The former we shall uever see 
again. We are to be at Astley's to-night, which I 
am glad of. Edward has heard from Henry this 
morning. He has not been at the races at all, 
unless his driving Miss Pearson over to Rowling 
one day can be so called. We shall find him there 
on Thursday. 

I hope you are all alive after our melancholy 
parting yesterday, and that you pursued your in- 
tended avocation with success. God bless you ! I 
must leave off, for we are going out. 
Yours very affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

Everybody's love. 



III. 



Rowling, Monday (September 5). 
My dear Cassandra, — I shall be extremely 
anxious to hear the event of your ball, and shall hope 
to receive so long and minute an account of every 
particular that I shall be tired of reading it. Let 
me know how many, besides their fourteen selves 
and Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Michael will contrive 
to place about their coach, and how many of the 
gentlemen, musicians, and waiters he will have 
persuaded to come in their shooting-jackets. I 
hope John Lovett's accident will not prevent his 
attending the ball, a.-i you will otherwise be 



16 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. 

obliged to dance with Mr. Tincton tlie whole eve- 
ning. Let me know how J. Harwood deports 
himself without the Miss Biggs, and which of 
the Maiys will carry the day with my brother 
James. 

We were at a ball on Saturday, I assure you. 
We dined at Goodnestoue, and in the evening 
danced two countrj^-dances and the Boulangeries. 
I opened the ball with Edward Bridges; the other 
couples were Lewis Cage and Harriet, Frank and 
Louisa, Fanny and George. Elizabeth played one 
country-dance, Lady Bridges the other, which sho 
made Henry dance with her, and Miss Finch 
played' the Boulangeries. 

In reading over the last three or four lines, I 
am aware of my having ex})ressed myself in so 
doubtful a manner that if I did not tell you to the 
contrary, you might imagine it was Lady Bridges 
who made Henry dance with her at the same time 
that she was playing, which, if not impossible, 
must appear a very improbable event to you. But 
it was Elizabeth who danced. We supped there, 
and walked home at night under the shade of two 
umbrellas. 

To-day rhe Goodnestone party begins to disperse 
and spread itself abroad. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Cage and 
George repair to Hythe. Lady AValtham, Miss 
Bridges, and Miss Mary Finch to Dover, for the 
health of the two former. I have never seen 



1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 17 

Marianne at all. On Thursday Mr. and Mrs. 
Bridges return to Danbury; Miss Harriet Hales 
accompanies tliem to London on her way to 
Dorsetshire. 

Farmer Claringbould died this morning, and I 
fancy Edward means to get some of his farm, if 
he can cheat Sir Brook enough in the agreement. 

We have just got some venison from Godmer- 
sham, which the two Mr. Harveys are to dine on 
to-morrow, and on Friday or Saturday the Good- 
nestone people are to finish their scraps. Henry 
went away on Friday, as he purposed, ivithout 
fayl. You will iiear from him soon, 1 imagine, as 
he talked of writing to Steventon shortly. Mr. 
Richard Harvey is going to be married; but as it 
is a great secret, and only known to half the 
neighborhood, you must not mention it. The 
lady's name is Musgrave. 

I am in great distress. I cannot determine 
whether 1 shall give Bichis half a guinea or only 
five shillings when I go away. Counsel me, ami- 
able Miss Austen, and tell me which will be the? 
most. 

We walked Frank last night to Crixhall Ruff 
and he appeared much edified. Little Edward 
was breeched yesterday for good and all, and was 
whipped into the bargain. 

Pray remember me to everybody who does not 
inquire after me; those wlio do, remember me 



18 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. 

without bidding. Give my love to Mary Harri- 
son, and tell iier I wish, whenever she is attached 
to a young man, some respectable Dr. Marchmont 
may keep them apart for five volumes. . . . 

IV. 

Rowling, Thursday (September 15). 

My deab. Cassandra, — We have been very gay 
since I wrote last; dining at Nackington, return- 
ing by moonlight, and everything quite in style, 
not to mention Mr. Claringbould's funeral which 
we saw go by on Sunday. I believe I told you in 
a former letter that Edward had some idea of tak- 
ing the name of Claringbould; but that scheme is 
over, though it would be a very eligible as well as 
a very pleasant plan, would any one advance him 
money enough to begin on. "VVe rather expected 
Mr. Milles to have done so on Tuesday; but to our 
great surprise nothing was said on the subject, and 
unless it is in your power to assist your brother 
with five or six hundred pounds, he must entirely 
give up the idea. 

At Nackington we met Lady Sondes' picture 
over the mantelpiece in tlie dining-room, and the 
pictures of her three children in an ante-room, be- 
sides Mr. Scott, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Toke, Mr. J. 
Toke, and the archdeacon Lynch. Miss Fletcher 
and I were very thick, but I am the thinnest of 



1796.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 19 

the two. She wore her purple muslin, which is 
pretty enough, though it does not hecome her com- 
plexion. There are two traits in her character 
which are pleasing, — namely, she admires Ca- 
milla, and drinks no cream in her tea. If you 
should ever see Lucy, you may tell her that I 
scolded Miss Fletcher for her negligence in writ- 
ing, as she desired me to do, hut without being 
able to bring her to any proper sense of shame, — 
that Miss Fletcher says, in her defence, that as 
everybody whom Lucy knew when she was in 
Canterbury has now left it, she has nothing at 
all to write to her about. By everybody, I sup- 
pose Miss Fletcher means that a new set of offi- 
cers have arrived there. But this is a note of 
my own. 

Mrs. Milles, Mr. John Toke, and in short every- 
body of any sensibility inquired in tender strains 
after you, and I took an opportunity of assuring 
Mr. J. T. that neither he nor his father need 
longer keep themselves single for you. 

We went in our two carriages to Nackington; 
but how we divided I shall leave you to surmise, 
merely observing that as Elizabeth and I were 
without either hat or bonnet, it would not have 
been very convenient for us to go in the chaise. 
We went by Bifrons, and I contemplated with a 
melancholy pleasure the abode of him on whom I 
once fondly doated. We dine to-day at Good- 



20 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. 

nestone, to meet my aunt Fielding from Margate 
and a Mr. Clayton, her professed admirer — at 
least, so I imagine. Lady Bridges has recei^'ed 
very good accounts of Marianne, who is already 
certainly the better for her bathing. 

So His Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams 
has at length sailed; the papers say "on a cruise." 
But I hope they are gone to Cork, or I shall have 
written in vain. Give my love to Jane, as she 
arrived at Steventon yesterday, I dare say. 

I sent a message to Mr. Digweed from Edward 
in a letter to Mary Lloyd which she ought to re- 
ceive to-day; but as I know that the Harwoods are 
not very exact as to their letters, I may as well 
repeat it to you. Mr. Digweed is to be informed 
that illness has prevented Seward's coming over 
to look at the repairs intended at the farm, but 
that he will come as soon as he can. Mr. Digweed 
may also be informed, if you think proper, that 
Mr. and Mrs. Milles are to dine here to-morrow, 
and that Mrs. Joan Knatchbull is to be asked to 
meet them. Mr. Kichard Harvey's match is put 
off till he has got a better Christian name, of 
which he has great hopes. 

Mr. Children's two sons are both going to be 
married, John and George. They are to have one 
wife between them, a Miss Holwell, who belongs 
to the Black Hole at Calcutta. I depend on hear- 
ing from James very soon; he promised me an 



179G.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 21 

account of the ball, and by this time he must have 
collected his ideas enough after the fatigue of 
dancing to give me one. 

Edward and Fly went out yesterday very early 
in a couple of shooting jackets, and came home 
like a couple of bad shots, for they killed noth- 
ing at all. They are out again to-day, and are 
not yet returned. Delightful sport! They are 
just come home, Edward with his tw^o brace, 
Frank with his two and a half. What amiable 
young men! 

Friday. — Your letter and one from Henry are 
just come, and the contents of both accord with 
my scheme more than I had dared expect. In one 
particular I could wish it otherwise, for Henry is 
very indifferent indeed. You must not expect us 
quite so early, however, as Wednesday, the 20th, 
— on that day se'nnight, according to our present 
plan, Ave may be with you. Frank had never any 
idea of going away before INIonday, the 26th. I 
shall write to Miss Mason immediately, and press 
her returning with us, which Henry thinks very 
likely, and particularly eligible. 

Buy Mary Harrison's gown by all means. You 
shall have mine for ever so much money, though, 
if I am tolerably rich when I get home, I shall 
like it very much myself. 

As to the mode of our travelling to town, 1 
want to go in a stage-coach, but Frank will not let 



22 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1796. 

nie. As you are likel}^ to have the Williams and 
Lloyds witli you next week, jon would hardly find 
room for us then. If any one wants anj'thing in 
town, the}' must send their commissions to Frank, 
as I shall merely pass through it. Tlie tallow- 
chandler is Peulington, at the Crown and Beehive, 
Charles Street, Covent Garden. 
Miss Austen, Steventon, Overton, Hants. 

V. 

RoAVLiNG, Sunday (September 18). 
My dear Cassandra, — This morning has 
been spent in doubt and deliberation, in forming 
plans and removing difficulties, for it ushered in 
the day with an event which I had not intended 
should take place so soon b}- a week. Frank has 
received his appointment on board the "Captain 
John Gore," commanded by the " Triton,"' and will 
therefore be obliged to be in town on Wednesday; 
and though I have every disposition in the world 
to accompany him on that day, I cannot go on the 
uncertainty of the Pearsons being at home, as I 
should not have a place to go to in case they were 
from home. 

I wrote to Miss P. on Friday, and hoped to re- 
ceive an answer from her this morning, wliich 
would have rendered everything smooth and easy, 
and would have enabled us to leave this place to- 



179G.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 23 

morrow, as Frank, on first receiving liis appoint- 
ment, intended to do. He remains till Wednesday 
merel}'^ to accommodate me. I have written to her 
again 'to-day, and desired her to answer it by re- 
turn of post. On Tuesday, therefore, I shall posi- 
tively know whether they can receive me on 
Wednesday. If they cannot, Edward has been so 
good as to promise to take me to Greenwich on the 
Monday following, which was the day before fixed 
on, if that suits tliem better. If I have no an- 
swer at all on Tuesday, I must suppose Mary 
is not at home, and must wait till I do hear, as 
after having invited her to go to Steventon with 
me, it will not quite do to go home and say no 
more about it. 

My father will be so good as to fetch home his 
prodigal daughter from town, I hope, unless he 
wishes me to walk the hospitals, enter at the 
Temple, or mount guard at St. James'. It will 
hardly be in Frank's power to take me home, — 
nay, it certainly will not. I shall write again as 
soon as I get to Greenwich. 

What dreadful hot weather we have ! It keeps 
one in a continual state of inelegance- 

If Miss Pearson should return with me, praj" be 
careful not to expect too much beauty. I will not 
pretend to say that on a first view she quite 
answered the opinion I had formed of her. My 
mother, I am sure, will be disappointed if she does 



24 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1796. 

not take great care. From what I remember of 
her picture, it is no great resemblance. 

I am very glad that the idea of returning 
with Frank occurred to me; for as to Henry's 
coming into Kent again, the time of its taking 
place is so very uncertain that I should be waitiiig 
for dead men's shoes. I had once determined to go 
with Frank to-morrow and take my chance, etc., 
but they dissuaded me from so rash a step as I 
really think on consideration it would have been ; 
for if the Pearsons were not at home, I should 
inevitably fall a sacrifice to the arts of some fat 
woman who would make me drunk with small 
beer. 

Mar}' is brought to bed of a boy, — both doing 
very well. I shall leave you to guess what Mary 
I mean. Adieu, with best love to all your agree- 
able inmates. Don't let the Lloyds go on any 
account before I return, unless Miss P. is of the 
party. How ill I have written! I begin to hate 

myself. 

Yours ever, 

J. AUSTEK. 

The ''Triton " is a new 32 frigate just launched 
at Deptford. Frank is much pleased with the pros- 
pect of having Captain Gore under his command. 

Miss Austen, Steventon, Overton, Hants. 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 25 



VI. 

" BcLL AND George," Dartford, 
Wednesday (October 24, 1798). 

My dear Cassandra, — You have already 
heard from Daniel, I conclude, in what excellent 
time we reached and quitted Sittingbourne, and 
how very well my mother bore her journey thither. 
I am now able to send you a continuation of the 
same good account of her. She was very little 
fatigued on her arrival at this place, has been 
refreshed by a comfortable dinner, and now seems 
quite stout. It wanted five minutes of twelve 
when we left Sittingbourne, from whence we had 
a famous pair of horses, which took us to Rochester 
in an hour and a quarter; the postboy seemed de- 
termined to show my mother that Kentish drivers 
were not always tedious, and really drove as fast 
as Cax. 

Our next stage was not quite so expeditiously 
performed; the road was heavy, and our horses very 
indifferent. However, we were in such good time 
and my mother bore her journey so well, that ex- 
pedition was of little importance to us; and as it 
was, we were very little more than two hours and 
a half coming hither, and it was scarcely past 
four when we stopped at the inn. My mother 
took some of her bitters at Ospringe, and some 



26 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1798. 

more at Rochester, and she ate some bread several 
times. 

"We have got apartments up two pair of stairs, 
as we could not be otherwise accommodated with 
a sitting-room and bed-chambers on the same floor 
which we wished to be. We have one double- 
bedded and one single-bedded room; in the former 
m_y mother and I are to sleep. I shall leave you to 
guess who is to occupy the other. We sate down 
to dinner a little after five, and had some beef- 
steaks and a boiled fowl, but no oyster sauce, 

I should have begun my letter soon after our 
arrival, but for a little adventure which prevented 
me. After we had been here a quarter of an hour 
it was discovered that my writing and dressing 
boxes had been by accident put into a chaise 
which was just packing off as we came in, and 
Avere driven away toward Gravesend in their way 
to the West Indies. No part of my property could 
have been such a prize before, for in my writing- 
box was all my worldly wealth, 11., and my dear 
Harry's deputation. Mr. Nottley immediately de- 
spatched a man and Iiorse after the chaise, and in 
half an hour's time I had the pleasure of being as 
rich as ever; they were got about two or three 
miles off. 

My day's journey has been pleasanter in every 
respect than I expected. I have been very little 
crowded aad by no means unhappy. Your watch- 



1798.1 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 27 

fulness witJi regard to the weather on our accounts 
was very kind and very effectual. We had one 
heavy shower on leaving Sittingbourne, but after- 
wards the clouds cleared away, and we had a very 
bright chrystal afternoon. 

My father is now reading the '' Midnight Bell," 
which he has got from the library, and mother 
sitting by the fire. Our route to-morrow is not 
determined. We have none of us much inclination 
for London, and if Mr. Nottley will give us leave, 
I think we shall go to Staines through Croydon 
and Kingston, which will be much pleasanter than 
any other way; but he is decidedly for Clapham 
and Battersea. God bless you all ! 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

I flatter myself that ittij Dordy will not forget 
me at least under a week. Kiss him for me. 

Miss Austen, 

Godmersham Park, Favershara. 

VII. 

Steventon, Saturday (October 27). 

My dear Cassandra, — Your letter was a 
most agreeable suri^rise to me to-day, and I have 
taken a long sheet of paper to show my gratitude. 

We arrived here yesterday between four and 
five, but I cannot send you quite so triumphant an 
account of our last day's journey as of the first 



28 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

and second. Soon after I had finished my letter 
from Staines, my motlier began to suffer from the 
exercise or fatigue of travelling, and she was a 
good deal indisposed. She had not a vevy good 
night at Staines, but bore her journey better than 
I had expected, and at Basingstoke, where we 
stopped more than half an hour, received much 
comfort from a mess of broth and the sight of 
Mr. Lyford, who recommended her to take twelve 
drops of laudanum when she went to bed as a 
composer, which she accordingly did. 

James called ou us just as we were going to tea, 
and my mother was well enough to talk very cheer- 
fully to him before she went to bed. James seems 
to have taken to his old trick of coming to Steven- 
ton in spite of Mary's reproaches, for he was here 
before breakfast and is now paying us a second 
visit. They were to have dined here to-day, but 
the weather is too bad. I have had the pleasure 
of hearing that Martha is with them. James 
fetched her from Ibthorp on Thursday, and she 
will stay with them till she removes to Kintbury. 

We met with no adventures at all in our journey 
yesterday, except that our trunk had once nearly 
slipped off, and we were obliged to stop at Hartley 
to have our wheels greased. 

Whilst my mother and Mr. Lyford were together 
I went to Mrs. Ryder's and bought what I intended 
to buy, but not in much perfection. There were 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 29 

no narrow braces for children, and scarcely any 
netting silk; but Miss Wood, as usnal, is going to 
town very soon, and will lay in a fresh stock. I 
gave 2s. 3d. a yard for my flannel, and I fancy it 
is not very good, but it is so disgraceful and con- 
temptible an article in itself that its being com- 
paratively good or bad is of little importance. 
I bought some Japan ink likewise, and next week 
shall begin my operations on my hat, on which you 
know my principal hopes of happiness depend. 

I am very grand indeed; 1 hnd the dignity of 
dropping out my mother's laudanum last night. I 
carry about the keys of the wine and closet, and 
twice since I began this letter have had orders to 
give in the kitchen. Our dinner was very good 
yesterday, and the chicken boiled perfectly tender; 
therefore I shall not be obliged to dismiss Nanny 
on that account. 

Almost ever^^thing was unpacked and put away 
last night. Nanny chose to do it, and I was not 
sorrj^ to be busy. I have unpacked the gloves, and 
placed yours in your drawer. Their color is light 
and pretty, and I believe exactly what we fixed on. 

You r letterwas chaperoned here by one from 
Mrs. Cooke, in which she says that " Battleridge " 
is not to come out before January, and she is so 
little satisfied with Cawthorn's dilatoriness that 
she never means to employ him again. 

Mrs. Hall, of Sherborne, was brought to bed 



30 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

yesterday of a dead child, some weeks before she 
expected, owing to a fright. I suppose she hap- 
pened unawares to look at her husband. 

There has been a great deal of rain here for this 
last fortnight, much more than in Kent, and in- 
deed we found the roads all the way from Staines 
most disgracefully dirty. Steventon lane has its 
full share of it, and I don't know when I shall be 
able to get to Deane. 

I hear that Martha is in better looks and spirits 
than she has enjo3'ed for a long time, and I flatter 
myself she will now be able to jest openly about 
Mr. W. 

The spectacles which Molly found are my 
mother's, the scissors my father's. We are very 
glad to hear such a good account of 3'Our patients, 
little and great. My dear itty Dordy's remem- 
brance of me is very pleasing to me, — foolishly 
pleasing, because I know it will be over so soon. 
My attachment to him will be more durable. I 
shall think with tenderness and delight on his 
beautiful and smiling countenance and interesting 
manner until a few years have turned him into an 
ungovernable, ungracious fellow. 

The books from Winton are all unpacked and 
put away; the binding has compressed them most 
convenient!}'^, and there is now very good room in 
the bookcase for all that we wish to have there. 
I believe the servants were very glad to see us. 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 31 

Nanny was, I am sure. She confesses that it was 
very dull, and yet she had her child with her till 
last Sunday. I understand that there are some 
grapes left, but I believe not many; they must be 
gathered as soon as possible, or this rain will 
entirely rot them. 

I am quite angry with myself for not writing 
closer; why is my alphabet so much more sprawly 
than yours? Dame Tilbury's daughter has lain in. 
Shall I give her any of your baby clothes? The 
laceman was here only a few days ago. How 
unfortunate for both of us that he came so soon! 
Dame Bushell washes for us only one week more, 
as Sukey has got a place. John Steevens' wife 
undertakes our purification. She does not look as 
if anything she touched wovild ever be clean, but 
who knows? We do not seem likely to have any 
other maidservant at present, but Dame Staples 
will supply the place of one. Mary has hired a 
young girl from Ashe who has never been out to 
service to be her scrub, but James fears her not 
being strong enough for the place. 

Earle Harwood has been to Deane lately, as T 
think Mary wrote us word, and his family then told 
him that they would receive his wife, if she con- 
tinued to behave well for another year. He was 
very grateful, as well he might; their behavior 
throughout the whole affair has been particularly 
kind. Earle and his wife live in the most private 
manner imaginable at Portsmouth, without keeping 



32 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

a servant of any kind. What a prodigious innate 
love of virtue slie must have, to marry under such 
circumstances ! 

It is now Saturday evening, but I wrote the 
chief of this in the morning. My mother has not 
been down at all to-day; the laudanum made her 
sleep a good deal, and upon the whole I think she 
is better. My father and I dined by ourselves. 
How strange! He and John Bond are now very 
happy together, for I have just heard the heavy 
step of the latter along the passage. 

James Digweed called to-daj^, and I gave him 
his brother's deputation. Charles Harwood, too, 
has just called to ask how we are, in his way from 
Dummer, whither he has been conveying Miss 
Garrett, who is going to return to her former 
residence in Kent. I will leave off, or I shall not 
have room to add a word to-morrow. 

Sunday. — My mother has had a very good 
night, and feels much better to-day. 

I have received my aunt's letter, and thank 
you for your scrap. I will write to Charles soon. 
Pray give Fanny and Edward a kiss from me, and 
ask George if he has got a new song for me. 'T is 
really very kind of my aunt to ask us to Bath 
again; a kindness that deserves a better return 
than to profit b}' it. 

Yours ever, J. A. 

Miss xVuSTEN, 

Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 33 



VIIT. 

Stkventon, December 1. 

My dear Cassandra, — I am so good as to 
write to you again thus speedily, to let you know 
that I have just heard from Frank. He was at 
Cadiz, alive and well, on October 19, and had then 
very lately received a letter from you, written as 
long ago as when the "London" was at St. 
Helen's. But his raly latest intelligence of us 
was in one from me of September 1, which I sent 
soon after we got to Godmersham. He had written 
a packet full for his dearest friends in England, 
early in October, to go by the ''Excellent; " but 
the ''Excellent" was not sailed, nor likely to 
sail, when he despatched this to me. It compre- 
hended letters for both of us, for Lord Spencer, 
jVL-. Daysh, and the East India Directors. Lord 
St. Vincent had left the fleet when he wrote, and 
was gone to Gibraltar, it was said to superintend 
the fitting out of a private expedition from thence 
against some of the eneiuies' ports; Minorca or 
Malta were conjectured to be the objects. 

Frank writes in good spirits, but saj^s that our 
correspondence cannot be so easily carried on in 
future as it has been, as the communication be- 
tween Cadiz and Lisbon is less frequent than 
formerl3% You and my mother, therefore, must 
3 



34 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

not alarm yourselves at the long intervals that 
may divide his letters. I address this advice to 
you two as being the most tender-hearted of the 
family. 

My mother made her entree into the dressing- 
room through crowds of admiring spectators yes- 
terday afternoon, and we all drank tea together 
for the first time these five weeks. She has had a 
tolerable night, and bids fair for a continuance in 
the same brilliant course of action to-day. . . . 

Mr. Lyford was here yesterday; he came \\hile 
^ve were at dinner, and j^f^i'took of our elegant 
entertainment. I was not ashamed at asking liim 
to sit down to table, for we had some pease-soup, 
a sparerib, and a pudding. He wants my mother 
to look yellow and to throw out a rash, but she 
will do neither. 

I was at Deane yesterday morning. Mary Avas 
very well, but does not gain bodily strength very 
fast. When I saw her so stout on the third and 
sixth days, I expected to have seen her as well as 
ever by the end of a fortnight. 

James went to Ibthorp yesterday to see his 
mother and child. Letty is with Mary ^ at present, 
of course exceedingly happ}^, and in raptures witli 
the child. Mary does not manage matters in such 
a way as to make me want to lay in myself. She 
is not tidy enongh in her appearance; she has no 
1 Mrs. J.auies Austen. 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 35 

dressing-gown to sit up in; her curtains are all too 
thin, and things are not in that comfort and style 
about her which are necessary to make such a 
situation an enviable one. Elizabeth was really a 
pretty object with her nice clean cap put on so 
tidily and her dress so uniformly white and orderly. 
We live entirely in the dressing-room now, which 
I like very much; I always feel so much more 
elegant in it than in the parlor. 

Ko news from Kintbury yet. Eliza sports with 
our impatience. She was very well last Thursday. 
Who is Miss Maria Montresor going to marry, and 
what is to become of Miss Mulcaster? 

I find great comfort in my stuff gown, but I 
hope you do not wear yours too often. I have 
made myself two or three caps to wear of evenings 
since I came home, and they save me a world of 
torment as to hairdressing, which at present gives 
me no trouble beyond washing and brushing, for 
my long hair is always plaited up out of sight, and 
my short hair curls well enough to want no paper- 
ing. I have had it cut lately by Mr. Butler. 

There is no reason to suppose that Miss Morgan 
is dead after all. Mr. Lyford gratitied us very 
much j^esterday by his praises of my father's 
mutton, which they all think the finest that was 
ever ate. John Bond begins to find himself grow 
old, which John Bonds ought not to do, and un- 
equal to much hard work; a man is therefore 



36 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

lured to supply liis place as to labor, and John 
himself is to have the care of the sheep. There 
are not more people engaged than before, I believe; 
only men instead of boys. I fancy so at least, but 
you know my stupidity as to such matters. Lizzie 
Bond is just apprenticed to Miss Small, so we may 
hope to see her able to spoil gowns in a few 
years. 

My father has applied to Mr. May for an ale- 
house for Robert, at his request, and to Mr. Deane, 
of Winchester, likewise. This was ni}' mother's 
idea, who thought he would be proud to oblige a 
relation of Edward in return for Edward's accept- 
ing his money. He sent a very civil answer indeed, 
but has no house vacant at present. May expects 
to have an eniptj^ one soon at Farnham, so perhaps 
Nanny may have the honor of drawing ale for the 
Bishop. I shall write to Frank to-morrow. 

Charles Powlett gave a dance on Thursday, to 
the great disturbance of all his neighbors, of 
course, who, you know, take a most lively interest 
in the state of his finances, and live iar hopes of 
his being soon ruined. 

We are very much disposed to like our new 
maid; she knows nothing of a dairy, to be sure, 
which, in our family, is rather against her, but she 
is to be taught it all. In short, we have felt the 
inconvenience of being without a maid so long, 
that we are determined to like her, and she will 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 37 

find it a hard matter to displease us. As yet, she 

seems to cook very well, is uncommonly stout, and 

says she can work well at her needle. 

Sunday. — My father is glad to hear so good an 

account of Edward's pigs, and desires he may be 

told, as encouragement to his taste for them, that 

Lord Bolton is particularly curious in his pigs, has 

had pigstyes of a most elegant construction built 

for them, and visits them every morning as soon 

as he rises. 

Affectionately yours, 



J. A. 



Miss ArsTEX, 

Godmersliam Park, Faversliam. 



IX. 



Steventon, Tuesday (December 18). 

My dear Cassandra, — Your letter came quite 
as soon as I expected, and so your letters will 
always do, because I have made it a rule not to 
expect them till they come, in which I think I 
consult the ease of us both. 

It is a great satisfaction to us to hear that your 
business is in a way to be settled, and so settled 
as to give you as little inconvenience as possible. 
You are very welcome to my father's name and to 
his services if they are ever required in it. I 
shall keep my ten pounds too, to wrap myself up 
in next winter. 



38 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

I took the liberty a few days ago of asking your 
black velvet bonnet to lend me its cawl, which it 
very readily did, and by which I have been enabled 
to give a considerable improvement of dignity to cap, 
which was before too nidgetty to please me. I 
shall wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not 
be offended with me for following your advice as 
to its ornaments only in part. I still venture to 
retain the narrow silver round it, put twice round 
without any bow, and instead of the black military 
feather shall put in the coquelicot one as being 
smarter, and besides coquelicot is to be all the 
fashion this winter. After the ball I shall prob- 
ably make it entirely black. 

I am sorry that our dear Charles begins to feel 
the dignity of ill-usage. My father will write to 
Admiral Gambler. He must have already re- 
ceived so much satisfactioii from his acquaintance 
and patronage of Frank, that he will be delighted, 
I dare say, to have another of the family intro- 
duced to him. I think it would be very right in 
Charles to address Sir Thomas on the occasion, 
though I cannot approve of your scheme of writing 
to him (which you communicated to me a few 
nights ago) to request him to come home and con- 
vey you to Steventon. To do you justice, how- 
ever, you had some doubts of the propriety of such 
a measure yourself. 

I am very much oldiged to my dear little George 



1738.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 39 

for his message, — for his love at least ; his duty, 
I suppose, was only in consequence of some hint 
of my favorable intentions towards him from his 
father or mother. I am sincerely rejoiced, how- 
ever, that I ever was born, since it has been the 
means of procuring him a dish of tea. Give my 
best love to him. ..." 

Wednesday. — I have changed my mind, and 
changed the trimmings of my cap this morning; 
they are now such as you suggested. I felt as if 
I should not prosper if I strayed from your direc- 
tions, and I think it makes me look more like Lady 
Conyngham now than it did before, which is all 
that one lives for now. I believe I shall make my 
new gown like my robe, but the back of the latter 
is all in a piece with the tail, and will seven yards 
enable me to copy it in that respect? . . . 

I have just heard from Martha and Frank: his 
letter was written on November 12. All well and 
nothing particular. J. A. 

Miss Austen, 

Godmersham Park, Faversham. 

X. 

Stevento\, Monday night (December 24). 
My dear Cassandra, — I have got some pleas- 
ant news for you which I am eager to communi- 
cate, and therefore begin my letter sooner, though 
I shall not send it sooner than usual. 



40 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

Admiral Gambier, in reply to ray father's ap- 
plication, writes as follows; "As it is usual to 
keep young officers in small vessels, it being most 
proper on account of their inexperience, and it 
being also a situation where the}' are more in the 
way of learning their duty, your son has been con- 
tinued in the ' Scorpion; ' but I have mentioned 
to the Board of Admiralty his wish to be in a 
frigate, and when a proper opportunity offers and 
it is judged that he has taken his turn in a small 
ship, I hope he will be removed. With regard to 
your son now in the ' London ' I am glad I can 
give you the assurance that his promotion is likely 
to take place very soon, as Lord Spencer has been 
so good as to say he would include him in an ar- 
rangement that he proposes making in a short time 
relative to some promotions in that quarter." 

There! I may now finish my letter and go and 
hang mj'self, for I am sure I can neither write nor do 
anything which will not appear insipid to jon after 
this. N'oiv I really think he will soon be made, 
and only wiyh we could communicate our fore- 
knowledge of the event to him whom it principally 
concerns. My father has written to Daysh to de- 
sire that he will inform us, if he can, when the 
commission is sent. Your chief wish is now ready 
to be accomplished; and could Lord Spencer give 
happiness to Martha at the same time, what a joy- 
ful heart he wuuld make of yours ! 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 41 

I have sent the same extract of the sweets of 
Gambier to Charles, who, poor fellow, though he 
sinks into nothing hut an humble attendant on the 
hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with 
the prospect held out to him. By what the Admi- 
ral says, it appears as if he had been designedly 
kept in the " Scorpion." But I will not torment 
myself with conjectures and suppositions; facts 
shall satisfy me. 

Frank had not heard from any of us for ten 
weeks when he wrote to me on November 12 in 
consequence of Lord St. Vincent being removed to 
Gibraltar. When his commission is sent, how- 
ever, it will not be so long on its road as our let- 
ters, because all the Government despatches are 
forwarded by land to his lordship from Lisbon 
with great regularity. 

I returned from Many down this morning, and 
found my mother certainly in no respect worse 
than when I left her. She does not like the cold 
weather, but that we cannot help. I spent my 
time very quietly and very pleasantly with Cathe- 
rine. Miss Blackford is agreeable enough. I do 
not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves 
me the trouble of liking them a great deal. I 
found only Catherine and her when I got to 
Manydown on Thursday. We dined together, and 
went together to Worting to seek the protection of 
Mrs. Clarke, with whom were Lady Mildmay, her 
eldest son, and Mr. and Mrs. Hoare. 



42 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

Our ball was very tliin, but by no means un- 
pleasant. There were thirty-one people, and only 
eleven ladies out of the number, and but five 
single women in the room. Of the gentlemen 
present you may have some idea from the list of 
mj' partners, — Mr. Wood, G. Lefroy, Eice, a Mr. 
Butcher (belonging to the Temples, a sailor and 
not of the 11th Light Dragoons), Mr. Temple (not 
the horrid one of all), Mr. Wra. Orde (cousin to 
the Kingsclere man), Mr. John Harwood, and 
Mr. Calland, who appeared as usual with his hat 
in his hand, and stood every now and then behind 
Calherine and me to be talked to and abused for 
not dancing. We teased him, however, into it at 
last. I was very glad to see him again after so 
long a separation, and he was altogether rather 
the genius and flirt of the evening. He inquired 
after you. 

There were twenty dances, and I danced them 
all, and without any fatigue. I was glad to find 
myself capable of dancing so much, and with so 
much satisfaction as I did; from my slender enjoy- 
ment of the Ashford balls (as assemblies for danc- 
ing) T had not thought myself equal to it, but in 
cold weather and with few couples I fancy I could 
just as well dance for a week together as for half 
an hour. My black cap was openly admired by 
Mrs. Lefroy, and secretly I imagine by everybody 
else in the room. . . . 



1798.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 43 

Poor Edward! It is very hard that he, who 
has everything else in the world that he can wish 
for, should not have good health too. But I hope 
with the assistance of stomach complaints, faint- 
nesses, and sicknesses, he will soon be restored to 
that blessing likewise. If his nervous complaint 
proceeded from a suppression of something that 
ought to be thrown out, which does not seem un- 
likely, the first of these disorders may really be a 
remedy, and I sincerely wish it may, for I know 
no one more deserving of happiness without alloy 
than Edward is. . . . 

The Lords of the Admiralty will have enough 
of our applications at present, for I hear from 
Charles that he has written to Lord Spencer him- 
self to be removed. I am afraid his Serene High- 
ness will be in a passion, and order some of our 
heads to be cut off. . . . 

You deserve a longer letter than this; but it is 
my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well as 
they deserve. . . . God bless j^ou ! 

Yours affectionately, 

Jane Austen. 

Wednesday/. — The snow came to nothing yes- 
terday, so I did go to Deane, and returned home 
at nine o'clock at night in the little carriage, and 
without being very cold. 

Sliss Austen, 
Godmersham Park, Faversliam, Kent. 



44 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1798. 

XI. 

Steventon, Friday (December 28). 

My dear Cassandka, — Franlv is made. He 
was yesterday raised to tlie rank of Commander, 
and appointed to the " Petterel " sloop, now at 
Gibraltar. A letter from Daysli has just an- 
nounced this, and as it is confirmed by a very 
friendly one from Mr. Mathew to the same effect, 
transcribing one from Admiral Gambier to the 
General, we have no reason to suspect the truth 
of it. 

As soon as you have cried a little for joy, you 
may go on, and learn further that the India House 
have taken Captain Austeu^s petition into con- 
sideration, — this comes from Daysh, — and like- 
wise that Lieutenant Charles John Austen is 
removed to the ''Tamar" frigate, — this comes 
from the Admiral. We cannot find out where the 
" Tamar " is, but I hojje we shall now see Charles 
here at all events. 

This letter is to be dedicated entirely to good 
news. If you will send my father an account of 
your washing and letter expenses, etc., he will 
send you a draft for the amount of it, as well as 
for your next quarter, and for Edward's rent. If 
you don't buy a muslin gown now on the strength 
of this money and Frank's promotion, I shall 
never forgive you. 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 45 

Mrs. Lefroy has just sent rae word that Lady 
Dorche.-!,ter meant to invite me to her ball on 
January 8, which, though an humble blessing 
compared with what the last page records, I do 
not consider as any calamity. 

I cannot write any more now, but 1 have written 
enough to make you very happy, and therefore 
may safely conclude. 

Yours affectionately, Jane. 

Miss Austen, Godmersham Park. 

XII. 

Steventon, Tuesday (January 8, 1799). 

My dear Cassandra, — You must read your 
letters oyQZ-^five times in future before you send 
them, and then, perhaps, you may find them as 
entertaining as I do. I laughed at several parts 
of the one which I am now answering. 

Cliarles is not come yet, but he must come this 
morning, or he shall never know what I will do 
to him. The ball at Kempshott is this evening, 
and I have got him an invitation, though I have 
not been so considerate as to get him a partner. 
But the cases are different between him and Eliza 
Baile}'', for he is not in a dying way, and may 
therefore be equal to getting a partner for himself. 
I believe I told you that Monday was to be the 
ball night, for which, and for all other errors into 



46 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

Avhicli I may ever have led you, I humbly ask 
your pardon. 

Elizabeth is very cruel about my writing music, 
and, as a punishment for her, I should insist ui^on 
always writing out all hers for her in future, if I 
were not punishing myself at the same time. 

I am tolerably glad to hear that Edward's in- 
come is so good a one, — as glad as I can be at 
anybody's being rich excejit you and me, — and I 
am thoroughly rejoiced to hear of his present to 
you. 

I am not to wear my white satin cap to-night, 
after all; I am to wear a mamalone cap instead, 
which Charles Fowle sent to Mary, and which she 
lends me. It is all the fashion now; worn at the 
opera, and by Lady Mildmays at Hackwood balls. 
I hate describing such things, and I dare say you 
will be able to guess what it is like. I have got 
over the dreadful epocha of mantua-mtiking much 
better than I expected. My gown is made very 
much like my blue one, which you alwa^'s told 
me sat very well, with only these variations : the 
sleeves are short, the wrap fuller, the apron comes 
over it, and a band of the same completes the 
whole. 

I assure jon that I dread the idea of going to 
Brighton as much as yoii do, but I am not without 
hopes that something may happen to prevent it. 

F has lost his election at B , and per- 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 47 

haps they may not be able to see company for 
some time. Tliey talk of going to Bath, too, in 
the spring, and perhaps rhey may be overturned in 
their way down, and all laid up for the summer. 

Wednesday. — I have had a cold and weakness 
in one of my eyes for some days, which makes 
writing neither very pleasant nor very profitable, 
and which will probably prevent my finishing this 
letter myself. My mother has undertaken to do 
it for me, and I shall leave the Kempshott ball 
for her. 

You express so little anxiety about my being 
murdered under Ash Park Copse by Mrs. Hul- 
bert's servant, that I have a great mind not to 
tell you whether I was or not, and shall only say 
that I did not return home that night or the next, 
as Martha kindly made room for me in her bed, 
which was the shut-up one in the new nursery. 
Nurse and the child slept upon the floor, and there 
we all were in some confusion and great comfort. 
The bed did exceedingly well for us, both to Tie 
awake in and talk till two o'clock, and to sleep in 
the rest of the night. I love Martha better than 
ever, and I mean to go and see her, if I can, when 
she gets home. We all dined at the Harwoods' on 
Thursday, and the party broke up the next morning. 

This complaint in my eye has been a sad bore to 
me, for I have not been able to read or work in 
any comfort since Friday; but one advantage will 



48 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

be derived from it, for I shall be sucli a proficient 
in music by the time I have got rid of my cold, 
that I shall be perfectly qualified in that science 
at least to take Mr. Eoope's office at Eastwell next 
summer; and I am sure of Elizabeth's recommen- 
dation, be it only on Harriet's account. Of my 
talent in drawing I have given specimens in my 
letters to you, and I have nothing to do but to in- 
vent a few hard names for the stars. 

Mary grows rather more reasonable about her 
child's beauty, and sa3^s that she does not think 
him really handsome; but I suspect her modera- 
tion to be something like that of W W 's 

mamma. Perhaps Mary has told you that they are 
going to enter more into dinner-parties; the Biggs 
and Mr. Holder dine there to-morrow, and I am to 
meet them. I shall sleep there. Catherine has 
the honor of giving her name to a set, which will 
be composed of two Withers, two Heathcotes, a 
Blackford, and no Bigg except herself. She con- 
gratulated me last night on Frank's promotion, as 
if she really felt the joy she talked of. 

My sweet little George ! I am delighted to hear 
that he has such an inventive genius as to face- 
making. I admired his yellow wafer \evy much, 
and hope he will choose the wafer for your next 
letter. I wore my green shoes last night, and took 
my white fan with me; I am very glad he never 
threw it into the river. 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 49 

Mrs. Knight giving up the Godmersham estate 
to Edward was no such prodigious act of generosity- 
after all, it seems, for she has reserved herself an 
income out of it still; this ought to be known, that 
her conduct may not be overrated. I rather think 
Edward shows the most magnanimity of the two, in 
accepting her resignation with such incumbrances. 

The more I write, the better my eye gets; so I 
shall at least keep on till it is quite well, before I 
give up my pen to my mother. 

Mrs. Bramston's little movable apartment was 
tolerably filled last night by herself, Mrs. H. 
Blackstone, her two daughters, and me. I do not 
like the Miss Blackstones; indeed, I was always 
determined not to like them, so there is the less 
merit in it. INIrs. Bramston was very civil, kind, 
and noisy. I spent a very pleasant evening, 
chiefly among the Manydown party. There was 
the same kind of supper as last year, and the same 
want of chairs. There were more dancers than the 
room could conveniently hold, which is enough to 
constitute a good ball at any time. 

I do not think I was very much in request. 
People were rather apt not to ask me till they 
could not help it; one's consequence, you know, 
varies so much at times without any particular 
reason. There was one gentleman, an officer of 
the Cheshire, a very good-looking young man, 
who, I was told, wanted very much to be intro- 

4 / 



50 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

\ duced to me; but as he did not want it quite 
1 enough to take much trouble in elifecting it, we 
never could bring it about. 

I danced with Mr. John Wood again, twice with 
a Mr. South, a lad from Winchester, who, I sup- 
pose, is as far from being related to the bishop of 
that diocese as it is possible to be, with G. Lefroy, 
and J. Harwood, who, I think, takes to me rather 
more than he used to do. One of my gayest ac- 
tions was sitting down two dances in j)reference 
to having Lord Bolton's eldest son for my partner, 
who danced too ill to be endured. The Miss 
Charterises were there, and played the parts of 
the Miss Edens with great spirit. Charles never 
came. Naughty Cliarles! I suppose he could 
not get superseded in time. 

Miss Debary has replaced your two sheets of 
drawing-paper with two of superior size and qual- 
ity; so I do not grudge her having taken them at 
all now. INIr. Ludlow and Miss Pugh of Andover 
are lately married, and so is Mrs. Skeete of Basing- 
stoke, and Mr. French, chemist, of Reading. 

I do not wonder at your wanting to read " First 
Impressions" again, so seldom as you have gone 
through it, and that so long ago. I am much 
obliged to you for meaning to leave my old petti- 
coat behind you. I have long secretly wished it 
might be done, but had not courage to make the 
request. 



1799] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 51 

Pray mention the name of Maria Montresor's 
lover when you write next. My mother wants to 
know it, and I have not courage to look back into 
your letters to find it out. 

I shall not be able to send this till to-morrow, 
and you will be disappointed on Friday; I am very 
sorry for it, but I cannot help it. 

The partnership between Jeffereys, Toomer, and 
Legge is dissolved; the two latter are melted away 
into nothing, and it is to be hoped that Jeffereys 
will soon break, for the sake of a few heroines 
whose money he may have. I wish you joy of 
your birthday twenty times over. 

I shall be able to send this to the post to-day, 
which exalts me to the utmost pinnacle of human 
felicity, and makes me bask in the sunshine of 
prosperity or gives me any other sensation of plea- 
sure in studied language which you may prefer. 
Do not be angry with me for not filling my sheet, 
and believe me yours affectionately, J. A. 

Mis3 Austen, 

Godmersham Park, Faversham. 

XIII. 

Steventon, Monday (January 21). 

My dear Cassandra, — I will endeavor to 

make this letter more worthy your acceptance 

than my last, which was so shabby a one that I 

think Mr. Marshall could never charge you with 



52 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

the postage. My eyes liave been very indifferent 
since it was written, but are now getting better 
once more; keeping tliem so many hours open on 
Thursday night, as well as the dust of the ball- 
room, injured them a good deal. I use them as lit- 
tle as I can, but you know, and Elizabeth knows, 
and everybody who ever had weak eyes knows, 
how delightful it is to hurt them by employment, 
against the advice and entreaty of all one's friends, 
Charles leaves us to-night. The " Tamar" is in 
the Downs, and Mr. Daysh advises him to join her 
there directly, as there is no chance of her going 
to the westward. Charles does not approve of this 
at all, and will not be much grieved if he should 
be too late for her before she sails, as he may then 
hope to get into a better station. He attempted 
to go to town last night, and got as far on his road 
thither as Dean Gate; but both the coaches were 
full, and we had the pleasure of seeing him back 
again. He will call on Daysh to-morrow to know 
whether the " Tamar " has sailed or not, and if she 
is still at the Downs he will proceed in one of the 
night coaches to Deal. I want to go with him, 
that I may explain the country to him properly 
between Canterbury and Eowling, but the un- 
pleasantness of returning by myself deters me. I 
should like to go as far as Ospringe with him 
very much indeed, that I might sur^irise you at 
Godmersham. 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 53 

Martha writes me word that Cliarles was very 
much admired at Kintbury, and Mrs. Lefroy never 
saw any one so much improved in her life, and 
thinks liira handsomer tlian Henry. He appears 
to far more advantage here than he did at God- 
mersham, not surrounded by strangers and neither 
oppressed by a pain in his face or powder in his 
hair. 

James christened Elizabeth Caroline on Satur- 
day morning, and then came home. Mary, Anna, 
and Edward have left us of course; before the 
second went I took down her answer to her cousin 
Fanny. 

Yesterday came a letter to my mother from 
Edward Cooper to announce, not the birth of a 
child, but of a living; for Mrs. Leigh has begged 
his acceptance of the Rectory of Hamstall-Ridware 
in Staffordshire, vacant by Mr. Johnson's death. 
We collect from his letter that he means to reside 
there, in which he shows his wisdom. Stafford- 
shire is a good way off; so we shall see nothing 
more of them till, some fifteen years hence, the 
Miss Coopers are presented to us, fine, jolly, 
handsome, ignorant girls. The living is valued at 
140Z. a year, but perhaps it may be improvable. 
How will they be able to convey the furniture of 
the dressing-room so far in safety? 

Our first cousins seem all dropping off very fast. 
One is incorporated into the family, another dies, 



54 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

and a third goes into Staffordshire. We can learn 
nothing of the disposal of the other living. I 
have not the smallest notion of Fulwar's having it. 
Lord Craven has probahly other connections and 
more intimate ones, in that line, than he now has 
with the Kintbury family. 

Our hall on Thursday was a very poor one, only 
eight couple and but twenty-three people in the 
room; but it was not the ball's fault, for we were 
deprived of two or three families by the sudden 
illness of Mr. Wither, who was seized that morn- 
ing at Winchester with a return of liis former 
alarming complaint. An express was sent off 
from thence to the family; Catherine and Miss 
Blackford were dining with ]\Irs. Eussell. Poor 
Catherine's distress must have been very great. 
She was prevailed on to wait till the Heathcotes 
could come from Wintney, and then with those 
two and Harris proceeded directly to Winchester. 
In such a disorder his danger, I suppose, must 
always be great; but from this attack lie is now 
rapidly recovering, and will be well enough to re- 
turn to Manydown, I fancy, in a few days. 

It was a fine thing for conversation at the ball. 
But it deprived us not only of the Biggs, but of 
Mrs. Eussell too, and of the Boltons and John 
Harwood, who were dining there likewise, and of 
Mr. Lane, who kept away as related to the family. 
Poor man! — I mean Mr. Wither — his life is so 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 55 

useful, his character so respectable and worthy, that 
I really believe there was a good deal of sincerity 
in the general concern expressed on his account. 

Our ball was chiefly made up of Jervoises and 
Terrys, the former of whom were apt to be vulgar, 
the latter to be nois^^ I had an odd set of part- 
ners : Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Street, Colonel Jervoise, 
James Digweed, J. Lyford, and Mr. Briggs, a 
friend of the latter. I had a very pleasant even- 
ing, however, though you will probably find out 
that there was no particular reason for it; but I 
do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment 
until there is some real opportunity for it. Mary 
behaved very well, and was not at all lidgetty. 
For the history of her adventures at the ball I 
refer you to Anna's letter. 

When you come home you will have some shirts 
to make up for Charles. Mrs. Davies frightened 
him into buying a piece of Irish when we were in 
Basingstoke. Mr. Daysh supposes that Captain Aus- 
ten's commission has reached him by this time. 

Tuesday. — Your letter has pleased and amused 
me very much. Your essay on happy fortnights 
is highly ingenious, and the talobert skin made 
me laugh a good deal. Whenever I fall into mis- 
fi>rtune, how many jokes it ought to furnish to my 
acijuaiutance in general, or I shall die dreadfully 
in their debt for entertainment. 

It began to occur to me before vou mentioned it 



56 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

that I had been somewhat silent as to my mother's 
health for some time, hut I thought you could 
have no difficulty in divining its exact state, — you, 
who have guessed so much stranger things. She 
is tolerably well, — better upon the whole than she 
was some weeks ago. She would tell you herself 
that she has a very dreadful cold in her head at 
present; but I have not much compassion for colds 
in the head without fever or sore throat. 

Our own particular little brother got a place in 
the coach last night, and is now, I suppose, in 
town. I have no objection at all to your bu^'ing 
our gowns there, as your imagination has pictured 
to you exactly such a one as is necessary to make 
me happy. You quite abash me by j^our progress 
in netting, for I am still without silk. You must 
get me some in town or in Canterburj-; it should 
be finer than yours. 

I thought Edward would not approve of Charles 
being a crop, and rather wished you to conceal it 
from him at present, lest it might fall on his 
spirits and retard his recovery. My father fur- 
nishes him with a pig from Cheesedown; it is al- 
ready killed and cut up, but it is not to weigh 
more than nine stone; the season is too far ad- 
vanced to get him a larger one. jMy mother 
means to pay herself for the salt and the trouble of 
oi'dering it to be cured by the spareribs, the souse, 
and the lard. We have had one dead lamb. 



1790.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 57 

I congratulate yoa on Mr. E. Hatton's good 
fortune. I suppose the marriage will now follow 
out of hand. Give my compliments to Miss Finch. 

What time in March may we expect your return 
in? I begin to he very tired of answering people's 
questions on that subject, and independent of that, 
I shall be very glad to see jon at home again, and 
then if we can get Martha and shirk . . . Avho 
will be so happy as we? 

I think of going to Ibtliorp in about a fortnight. 
My eyes are pretty well, I thank you, if you 
please. 

Wednesday, 2od. — I wish my dear Fanny 
many returns of this day, and that she may on 
every return enjoy as much pleasure as she is now 
receiving from her doU's-beds. 

I have just heard from Charles, who is by this 
time at Deal. He is to be second liei;tenant, 
which pleases him very well. The " Endymion " 
is come into the Downs, which pleases him like- 
wise. He expects to be ordered to Sheerness 
shortly, as the " Tamar " has never been refitted. 

My father and mother made the same match for 
you last night, and are very much pleased with it. 
lie is a beauty of mj^ mother's. 

Yours affectionately, 

Jane. 

Miss Austen, 

Godmersliam Park, Faversham, Kent. 



58 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

XIV. 

13 Queen's Square, Friday (May 17). 

My dearest Cassandra, — Our journey yester- 
day went off exceedingly well ; nothing occurred to 
alarm or dela^^ us. We found tlie roads in excel- 
lent order, had very good horses all the waj', and 
reached Devizes with ease by four o'clock. I sup- 
pose John has told you in what manner we were 
divided when we left Andover, and no alteration 
was afterwards made. At Devizes we had com- 
fortahle rooms and a good dinner, to which we sat 
down about five; amongst other things Ave had 
asparagus and a lobster, which made me wish for 
you, and some cheesecakes, on which the children 
made so delightful a supper as to endear the town 
of Devizes to them for a long time. 

Well, here we are at Bath ; we got here about 
one o'clock, and have been arrived just long enough 
to go over the house, fix on our rooms, and be very 
well pleased with the whole of it. Poor Elizabeth 
has had a dismal ride of it from Devizes, for it 
has rained almost all the way, and our first view 
of Bath has been just as gloomy as it was last 
November twelvemonth. 

I have got so many things to say, so man\' 
things equally important, that I know not on 
which to decide at present, and shall therefore go 
and eat with the children. 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 59 

We stopped in Paragon as we came along, but 
as it was too wet and dirty for us to get out, we 
could only see Frank, who told us that his master 
was very indifferent, but had had a better night 
last night than usual. In Paragon we met Mrs. 
Foley and Mrs. Dowdeswell with her yellow shawl 
airing out, and at the bottom of Kingsdown Hill 
we met a gentleman in a buggy, who, on minute 
examination, turned out to be Dr. Hall — and Dr. 
Hall in such very deep mourning that either his 
mother, his wife, or himself must be dead. These 
are all of our acquaintance who have yet met our 
eyes. 

I have some hopes of being plagued about my 
trunk ; I had more a few hours ago, for it was too 
heavy to go by the coach which brought Thomas 
a:id Eebecca from Devizes; there was reason to 
suppose that it might be too heavy likewise for 
any other coach, and for a long time we could hear 
of no wagon to convey it. At last, however, we 
unluckily discovered that one was just on the point 
of setting out for this place, but at any rate the 
trunk cannot be here till to-morrow; so far we are 
safe, and who knows what may not happen to 
procure a further delay? 

I put Mary's letter into the post-office at Ando- 
ver with my own hand. 

We are exceedingly pleased with the house; the 
rooms are quite as large as we expected. Mrs. Brom- 



60 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

ley is a fat woman in mourning, and a little black 
kitten runs about the staircase. Elizabeth has the 
apartment within the drawing-room; she wanted 
my mother to have it, but as there Avas no bed in 
the inner one, and the stairs are so much easier of 
ascent, or my mother so much stronger than in 
Paragon as not to regard the double flight, it is 
settled for us to be above, where we have two very 
nice-sized rooms, with dirty quilts and everything 
comfortable. I have the outward and larger apart- 
ment, as I ought to have; which is quite as large 
as our bedroom at home, and my mother's is not 
materially less. The beds are both as large as any 
at Steventon, and I have a very nice chest of 
drawers and a closet full of shelves, — so full in- 
deed that there is nothing else in it, and it should 
therefore be called a cu})board rather than a closet, 
I suppose. 

Tell Mary that there were some carjienters at 
work in the inn at Devizes this morning, but 
as I could not be sure of their being Mrs. W. 
Fowle's relations, I did not make myself known 
to them. 

I hope it will be a tolerable afternoon. Wheii 
first we came, all the umbrellas were up, but now 
the pavements are getting very white again. 

My mother does not seem at all the worse for 
her journey, nor are any of us, I hope, though 
Edward seemed ratlicr fagged last night, and 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. Gl 

not very brisk this morning; but I trust the 
bustle of sending for tea, coffee, and sugar, etc., 
and going out to taste a cheese himself, will do 
him good. 

There was a very long list of arrivals here in the 
newspaper yesterday, so that we need not immedi- 
ately dread absolute solitude; and there is a public 
breakfast in Sydney Gardens every morning, so 
that we shall not be wholly starved. 

Elizabeth has just had a very good account of 
the three little boys. I hope you are very busy 
and very comfortable. I find no difficulty in clos- 
ing my eyes. I like our situation very much; it 
is far more cheerful than Paragon, and the j)rospect 
from the drawing-room window, at which I now 
write, is rather picturesque, as it commands a pro- 
spective view of the left side of Brock Street, 
broken by three Lombardy poplars in the garden 
of tlie last house in Queen's Parade. 

I am rather impatient to know the fate of my 
best gown, but I suppose it will be some daj^s 
before Frances can get through the trunk. In 
the mean time I am, with many thanks for 3'our 
trouble in making it, as well as marking my silk 
stockings. 

Yours very affectionately, 

Jan^e. 

A great deal of love from everybody. 

Miss Austen, Steventon, Overton, Hants. 



62 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 



XV. 

13 Queen Square, Simtlay (June 2). 

My dear Cassandra, — I am obliged to you 
for two letters, one from yourself and the other 
from Mary, for of the latter I knew nothing till 
on the receijit of yours yesterday, wlien the pigeon- 
basket was examined, and I received my due. As 
I have written to her since the time which ought 
to have brought me hers, I suppose she will con- 
sider herself, as I choose to consider her, still in 
my debt. 

I will lay out all the little judgment I have in 
endeavoring to get such stockings for Anna as she 
will approve; but I do not know that I shall 
execute Martha's commission at all, for I am not 
fond of ordering shoes; and, at any rate, they shall 
all have flat heels. 

What must I tell you of Edward? Truth or 
falsehood? I will try the former, and you may 
choose for yourself another time. He was better 
yesterday than he had been for two or three days 
before, — about as well as while he was at Steventon. 
'He drinks at the Hetling Pump, is to bathe to- 
morrow, and try electricity on Tuesday. He 
proposed the latter himself to Dr. Fellowes, who 
made no objection to it, but I fancy we are all 
unanimous in expecting no advantage from it. At 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 63 

present I have no great notion of our staying here 
beyond the month. 

I heard from Charles last week; they were to 
sail on Wednesday. 

My mother seems remarkably well. My uncle 
overwalked himself at first, and can now only 
travel in a chair, but is otherwise very well. 

My cloak is come home. I like it very much, 
and can now exclaim with delight, like J. Bond at 
hay-harvest, '' This is what I have been looking for 
these three years." I saw some gauzes in a shop 
in Bath Street yesterday at only 4cZ. a yard, but 
they were not so good or so pretty as mine. 
Flowers are very much worn, and fruit is still 
more the thing. Elizabeth has a bunch of straw- 
berries, and I have seen grapes, cherries, plums, 
and apricots. There are likewise almonds and 
raisins, French plums, and tamarinds at the 
grocers', but I have never seen any of them in 
hats. A plum or greengage would cost three 
shillings ; cherries and grapes about five, I believe, 
but this is at some of the dearest shops. My aunt 
has told me of a very cheap one, near Walcot 
Church, to which I shall go in quest of something 
for you. I have never seen an old woman at the 
pump-room. 

Elizabeth has given me a hat, and it is not only 
a pretty hat, but a pretty style of hat too. It is 
something like Eliza's, only, instead of being all 



G4 LETTERS OF JxVNE AUSTEN. [1799. 

straw, half of it is naiTow purple ribbon. I flatter 
myself, however, that you can understand very little 
of it from this description. Heaven forbid that I 
should ever offer such encouragement to explana- 
tions as to give a clear one on any occasion my- 
self! But I must write no more of this. . . . 

I spent Friday evening with the Mapletons, and 
was obliged to submit to being pleased in spite of 
my inclination. We took a very charming walk 
from six to eight up Beacon Hill, and across some 
fields, to the village of Charlecombe, Avhich is 
sweetly situated in a little green valley, as a village 
with such a name ought to be. Marianne is 
sensible and intelligent; and even Jane, consider- 
ing how fair she is, is not unpleasant. We had a 
Miss North and a Mr. Gould of our party; the 
latter walked home with me after tea. He is a 
very young man, just entered Oxford, wears 
sjiectacles, and has heard that '* Evelina" was 
written by Dr. Johnson. 

I am afraid I cannot undertake to carry Martha's 
shoes home, for, though we had plenty of room in 
our trunks when we came, we shall have many 
more things to take back, and I must allow besides 
for my packing. 

There is to be a grand gala on Tuesday even- 
ing in Sydne}' Gardens, a concert, with illumina- 
tions and fireworks. To the latter Elizabeth and I 
look forward with pleasure, and even the concert 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 65 

will have more than its usual charm for me, as the 
gardens are large enough for me to get pretty well 
beyond the reach of its sound. In the morning 
Lady Willoughby is to present the colors to some 
corps, or Yeomanry, or other, in the Crescent, and 
that such festivities may have a proper commence- 
ment, we think of going to . . . 

I am qiiite pleased with Martha and Mrs. Lefroy 
for wanting the pattern of our caps, but I am not 
so well pleased with your giving it to them. Some 
wish, some prevailing wish, is necessary to the 
animation of everybody's mind, and in gratifying 
this you leave them to form some other which will 
not probably be half so innocent. I shall not for- 
get to write to Franlc. Duty and love, etc. 

Yours affectionately, Jane. 

My uncle is quite surprised at my hearing from 
you so often; but as long as we can keep the fre- 
quency of our corres^Tondence from Martha's uncle, 
we will not fear our own. 

Miss Austen, Steveuton. 



XVI. 

13 QcEEN Square, Tuesday (June 11). 
My dear Cassaxdba, — Your letter yesterday 
made me very happy. I am heartily glad that 
you have escaped any share in the impurities of 
5 



66 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

Deane, and not sorry, as it turns ont, that our stay- 
here lias been lengthened. I feel tolerably secure 
of our getting away next week, though it is cer- 
tainlj" possible that we may remain till Thursday 
the 27th. I wonder what we shall do with all oxir 
intended visits this summer! I should like to 
make a compromise with Adlestrop, Harden, and 
Bookham, that IMartha's spending the summer at 
Steventon should be considered as our respective 
visits to them all. 

Edward has been pretty well for this last week, 
and as the waters have never disagreed with him 
in any respect, Ave are inclined to hope that he will 
derive advantage from them in the end. Every- 
body encourages us in this expectation, for they 
all say that the effect of the waters cannot be nega- 
tive, and many are the instances in which their 
benefit is felt afterwards more than on the spot. 
He is more comfortable here than 1 thought he 
would be, and so is Elizabeth, though they will 
both, I believe, be very glad to get away — the 
latter especially, which one can't wonder at some- 
how. So much for Mrs. Piozzi. I had some 
thoughts of Avriting the whole of my letter in her 
style, but I believe I shall not. 

Though you haA^e giA'^en me unlimited powers 
concerning yoxar sprig, I cannot determine Avhat to 
do about it, and shall therefore in this and in cA'ery 
other future letter continue to ask your further 



1799] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 67 

directions. We have been to the cheap shop, and 
very cheap we found it, but there are only flowers 
made there, no fruit; and as I could get four or 
five very pretty sprigs of the former for the same 
money which would procure only one Orleans 
plum — in short, could get more for three or four 
shillings than I could have means of bringing 
home — I cannot decide on the fruit till I hear from 
you again. Besides, I cannot help thinking that 
it is more natural to have flowers grow out of the 
head than fruit. What do you think on that 
subject? 

I would not let Martha read "First Impres- 
sions " ^ again upon any account, and am very 
glad that I did not leave it in your power. She 
is very cunning, but I saw through her design; 
she means to publish it from memory, and one 
more perusal must enable her to do it. As for 
*' Fitzalbini," when I get home she shall have 
it, as soon as ever she will own that Mr. Elliott 
is handsomer than Mr. Lance, that fair men are 
preferable to black ; for I mean to take every 
opportunity of rooting out her prejudices. 

Benjamin Portal is here. How charming that 
is ! I do not exactly know why, but the phrase 
followed so naturally that I could not help put- 
ting it down. My mother saw him the other day, 
but without making herself known to him. 

1 The title first chosen for " Pride and Prejudice." 



68 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1799. 

I am very glad you liked my lace, and so are 
you, and so is Martha, and we are all glad to- 
gether. I have got your cloak home, which is 
quite delightful, — as delightful at least as half 
the circumstances which are called so. 

I do not know what is the matter with me to- 
day, but I cannot write quietly ; I am always 
wandering away into some exclamation or other. 
Fortunately I have nothing very particular to 
say. 

We walked to Weston one evening last week, 
and liked it very much. Liked what very much? 
Weston? No, walking to Weston. I have not 
expressed myself properly, but I hope 3'ou will 
understand me. 

We have not been to any public place lately, 
nor performed anything out of the common daily 
routine of No. 13 Queen Square, Bath. But to- 
day we were to have dashed away at a very extra- 
ordinary rate, by dining out, had it not so hapjiened 
that we did not go. 

Edward renewed his acquaintance lately with 
Mr. Evelyn, who lives in the Queen's Parade, and 
was invited to a family dinner, which I believe at 
first Elizabeth was rather sorry at his accepting; 
but yesterday Mrs. Evelyn called on us, and her 
manners were so pleasing that we liked the idea 
of going very much. The Biggs would call her a 
nice woman. But Mr. Evelyn, who was indis- 



1799.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 69 

posed yesterday, is worse to-day, and we are put 
off. 

It is rather impertinent to suggest any house- 
hold care to a housekeeper, but I just venture to 
say that the coffee-mill will be wanted every day 
while Edward is at Steventon, as he always drinks 
coffee for breakfast. 

Fanny desires her love to you, her love to 
grandpapa, her love to Anna, and her love to 
Hannah; the latter is particularly to be remem- 
bered. Edward desires his love to 3'ou, to grand- 
papa, to Anna, to little Edward, to Aunt James 
and Uncle James, and he hopes all your turkeys 
and ducks and chicken and guinea fowls are very 
well; and he wishes you very much to send him 
a printed letter, and so does Fanny — and they 
both rather think they shall answer it. . . . 

Dr. Gardiner was married yesterday to Mrs. 
Percy and her three daughters. 

JSTow I will give you the history of Mary's veil, 
in the purchase of which I have so considerably 
involved 3^ou that it is my duty to economize for 
you in the flowers. I had no difficulty in getting 
a muslin veil for half a guinea, and not much 
more in discovering afterwards that the muslin 
was thick, dirty, and ragged, and therefore would 
by no means do for a united gift. I changed it 
consequently as soon as I could, and, considering 
what a state my imprudence had reduced me to, 



70 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1£00 

I thought myself lucky in getting a black lace 
one for sixteen shillings. I hope the half of that 
sum will not greatl}' exceed what you had in- 
tended to offer upon the altar of sister-in-law 

affection. 

Yours affectionately, Jaxe. 

They do not seem to trouble you much from 
Manydown. I have long wanted to quarrel with 
them, and I believe I shall take this opportunity. 
There is no denying that they are very capricious 
— for they like to enjoy their elder sister's com- 
pany when they can. 
Miss Austen, Steventou, Overton, Hauts. 

XVII. 

Steventon, Thursday (November 20, 1800). 

My dear Cassandra, — Your letter took me 
quite by surprise this morning; you are very wel- 
come, however, and I am very much obliged to 
yo*i. I believe I drank too much wine last night 
at Hurstbourne; I know not how else to account 
for the shaking of my hand to-day. You will 
kindly make allowance therefore for any indis- 
tinctness of writing, by attributing it to this 
venial error. 

Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesda}', but 
good Charles came yesterday morning. About two 
o'clock he walked in on a Gosport hack. His 



1800.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 71 

feeling equal to such a fatigue is a good sign, and 
his feeling no fatigue in it a still better. He 
walked down to Deane to dinner; he danced the 
whole evening, and to-day is no more tired than a 
gentleman ought to be. 

Your desiring to hear from me on Sunday will, 
perhaps, bring you a more particular account of 
the ball than you may care for, because one is 
prone to think much more of such things the morn- 
ing after they hajipen, than when time has entirely 
driven them out of one's recollection. 

It was a pleasant evening; Charles found it 
remarkably so, but I cannot tell why, unless the 
absence of Miss Terry, towards whom his con- 
science reproaches him with being now perfectly 
in.different, was a relief to him. There were only 
twelve dances, of which I danced nine, and was 
merely prevented from dancing the rest by the 
%vant of a partner. We began at ten, supped at 
one, and were at Deane before five. There were 
but fifty i^eople in the room; very few families 
indeed from our side of the county, and not many 
more from the other. My partners were the two 
St. Johns, Hooper, Holder, and a very prodigious 
Mr. Mathew, with whom 1 called the last, and 
whom I liked the best of my little stock. 

There were very few beauties, and such as there 
were were not very handsome. Miss Ire monger 
did not look well, and Mrs. Blount was the only 



72 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1800. 

one mucli admired. She appeared exactly as she 
did in September, with the same broad face, dia- 
mond bandeau, white shoes, pink husband, and fat 
neck. The two Miss Coxes were there; I traced 
in one the remains of the vulgar, broad-featured 
girl who danced at Enham eight years ago; the 
other is refined into a nice, composed-looking 
girl, like Catherine Bigg. I looked at Sir Thomas 
Champneys, and thought of poor Rosalie; I looked 
at his daughter, and thought her a queer animal 
with a white neck. Mrs. Warren I was con- 
strained to think a very fine young woman, which 
I much regret. She danced away with great ac- 
tivity. Her husband is ugly enough, uglier even 
than liis cousin John ; but he does not look so vcrij 
old. The Miss Maitlands are both prettyish, very 
like Anne, with brown skins, large dark eyes, and a 
good deal of nose. Tlie General has got the gout, 
and Mrs. Maitland the jaundice. Miss Debar^^, 
Susan, and Sally, all in black, but without any 
statues, made their appearance, and I was as civil 
to them as circumstances would allow me. . . . 

Mary said that I looked very well last night. 
I Avore my aunt's gown and handkerchief, and my 
hair was at least tidy, which was all my ambition. 
I will now have done with the ball, and I will 
moreover go and dress for dinner. . . . 

Farewell; Charles sends you his best love, and 
Edward his worst. If you think the distinction 



1800] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 73 

improper, you may take the worst yourself. He 

Avill write to you when he gets back to his ship, 

and ill the mean time desires that you will consider 

me as 

Your affectionate sister, J. A. 

Friday. — I have determined to go on Thurs- 
day, but of course not before the post comes in. 
Charles is in very good looks indeed. I had the 
comfort of finding out the other evening who all 
the fat girls with long noses were that disturbed 
me at the First H. ball. They all proved to be Miss 
Atkinsons of En — [_illegible'\. 

I rejoice to say that we have just had another 
letter from our dear Frank. It is to you, very 
short, written from Larnica in Cyprus, and so 
lately as October 2. He came from Alexandria, 
and was to return there in three or four days, 
knew nothing of his j^romotion, and does not write 
above twenty lines, from a doubt of the letter's 
ever reaching you, and an idea of all letters being 
opened at Vienna. He wrote a few days before to 
you from Alexandria by the "Mercury," sent with 
despatches to Lord Keith. Another letter must be 
owing to us besides this, one if not two; because 
none of these are to me. Henry conies to-morrow, 
for one night only. 

My mother has heard from Mrs. E. Leigh. Lady 
Saye and Seale and her daughter are going to re- 
move to Bath. Mr... Estwick is married again to 



74 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. 

a Mr. Sloane, a j^oung man under age, witliout the 
knowledge of either famil}'. He bears a good 
charactet, however. 

Miss Austen, 

Godmersliam Park, Faversliain, Kent. 



XVIII. 

Steventon, Saturday (January .3, 1801). 

My dear Cassandra, — As you have by this 
time received my last letter, it is tit that I should 
begin another; and I begin witli the hope, which is 
at present uppermost in my mind, that you often 
wore a white gown in the morning at the time of 
all the gay parties being with you. 

Our visit at Ash Parle, last Wednesday, went off 
in a come-cd wa}^ We met Mr. Lefroy and Tom 
Chute, played at cards, and came home again. 
James and Maiy dined here on the following daj-, 
and at night Henry set off in the mail for London. 
He was as agreeable as ever during his visit, and 
has not lost an3'thing in Miss Lloyd's estimation. 

Yesterday we were quite alone — only our four 
selves; but to-day the scene is agreeably varied 
by Mar3''s driving Martha to Basingstoke, and 
Martha's afterwards dining at Deane. 

My motlier looks forward with as much cer- 
tainty as you can do to our keeping two maids; 
my father is the only one not in the secret. We 



1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 75 

plan having a steady cook and a young giddy 
housemaid, with a sedate, middle-aged man, who 
is to undertake the double office of husband to the 
former and sweetheart to the latter. No children 
of course to be allowed on either side. 

You feel more for John Bond than John Bond 
deserves. I am sorry to lower his character, but 
he is not ashamed to own himself that he has no 
doubt at all of getting a good place, and that he 
had even an offer many years ago from a Farmer 
Paine of taking him into his service whenever he 
might quit my father's. 

There are three parts of Bath which we have 
thought of as likely to have houses in them, — 
Westgate Buildings, Charles Street, and some of 
the short street-s leading from Laura Place or 
Pulteney Street. 

Westgate Buildings, thougli quite in the lower 
part of the town, are not badly situated them- 
selves. The street is broad, and has rather a good 
appearance. Charles Street, however, I think is 
preferable. The buildings are new, and its near- 
ness to Kingsmead Fields would be a pleasant 
circumstance. Perhaps you may remember, or 
perhaps you may forget, that Charles Street leads 
from the Queen Square Chapel to the two Green 
Park Streets. 

The houses in the streets near Laura Place I 
should expect to be above our jirice. Gay Street 



76 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. 

would be too high, except only the lower house on 
the left-hand side as you ascend. Towards that 
my mother has no disinclination; it used to be 
lower rented than any other house in the row, from 
some inferiority in the apartments. But above all 
others her wishes are at present fixed on the corner 
house in Chapel Row, which opens into Prince's 
Street. Her knowledge of it, however, is confined 
only to the outside, and therefore she is equally 
uncertain of its being really desirable as of its 
being to be had. In the mean time she assures 
yoii that she will do everything in her power to 
avoid Trim Street, although you have not ex- 
pressed the fearful presentiment of it which was 
rather expected. 

We know that Mrs. Perrot will want to get us 
into Oxford Buildings, but we all unite in par- 
ticular dislike of that part of the town, and there- 
fore hope to escape. Upon all these different 
situations you and Edward may confer together, 
and your opinion of each will be exj^ected with 
eagerness. 

As to our pictures, the battle-piece, Mr. Nibbs, 
Sir William East, and all the old heterogeneous, 
miscellany, manuscript, Scriptural pieces dispersed 
over the house, are to be given to James. Your 
own drawings will not cease to be your own, and 
the two paintings on tin will be at your disposal. 
My mother says that the French agricultural prints 



1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 77 

in the best bedroom were given by Edward to his 
two sisters. Do you or he know anything about 
it? 

She has written to my aunt, and we are all im- 
patient for the answer. I do not know how to give 
up the idea of our both going to Paragon in May. 
Your going I consider as indispensably necessary, 
and I shall not like being left behind; there is no 
place here or hereabouts that I shall want to be 
staying at, and though, to be sure, the keep of two 
will be more than of one, I will endeavor to make 
the difference less by disordering my stomach with 
Bath buns; and as to the trouble of accommodating 
us, whether there are one or two, it is much the 
same. 

According to the first plan, my mother and our 
two selves are to travel down together, and my 
father follow us afterwards in about a fortnight or 
three weeks. We have promised to spend a couple 
of days at Ibthorp in our way. We must all meet 
at Bath, you know, before we set out for the sea, 
and, everything considered, I think the first plan 
as good as any. 

My father and mother, wisely aware of the diffi- 
culty of finding in all Bath such a bed as their 
own, have resolved on taking it with them; all the 
beds, indeed, that we shall want are to be removed, 
— namely, besides theirs, our own two, the best 
for a spare one, and two for servants; and these 



78 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. 

necessary articles will probably be the only ma- 
terial ones that it would answer to send down. I 
do not think it will be worth while to remove any 
of our chests of drawers ; we shall be able to get 
some of a much more commodious sort, made of 
deal, and painted to look very neat; and I flatter 
myself that for little comforts of all kinds our 
apartment will be one of the most complete things 
of the sort all over Bath, Bristol included. 

We have thought at times of removing the side- 
board, or a Pembroke table, or some other piece of 
furniture, but, upon the whole, it has ended in 
thinking that the trouble and risk of the removal 
would be more than the advantage of having them 
at a place where everj'thing may be purcliased. 
Pray send j^our opinion. 

Martha has as good as promised to come to us 
again in March. Her spirits are better than they 
were. . . . 

My mother bargains for having no trouble at all 
in furnishing our house in Bath, and I have en- 
gaged for 3^our willingly nndertaking to do it all. 
I get more and more reconciled to the idea of our 
removal. We have lived long enough in this 
neighborhood: the Basingstoke balls are certainly 
on the decline, there is something interesting in 
the bustle of going away, and the prospect of 
spending future summers by the sea or in Wales 
is very delightful. For a time we shall now pos- 



ISOl ] LETTEES OF JANE AUSTEN. 79 

sess many of tlie advantages which I have often 
thought of with envy in tlie wives of sailors or sol- 
diers. It must not be generally known, however, 
that I am not sacrificing a great deal in quitting 
the country, or I can expect to inspire no tender- 
ness, no interest, in those we leave behind. . . . 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

Miss Austen, 

Godinersham Park, Faversliam, Kent. 

XIX. 

Steventon, Thursday (Jainiary 8). 

My dear Cassandka, — The "perhaps" which 
concluded my last letter being only a "perhaps," 
will not occasion your being overpowered with 
surprise, I dare say, if you should receive this be- 
fore Tuesday, which, unless circumstances are very 
perverse, will be the case. I received yours with 
much general philanthropy, and still more pecu- 
liar good-will, two days ago; and I suppose I need 
not tell you that it was very long, being written 
on a foolscap sheet, and very entertaining, being- 
written by you. 

Mr. Payne has been dead long enough for Henry 
to be out of mourning for him before his last visit, 
though we knew nothing of it till about that time. 
Why he died, or of what complaint, or to what 
noblemen he bequeathed his four daughters in 
marriage, we have not heard. 

I am glad that the Wildmans are going to give 



80 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. 

a ball, and hope you will not fail to benefit both 
3'ourself and me by la^-ing out a few kisses in the 
purchase of a frank. 1 believe you are right in 
proposing to delay the cambric muslin, and I sub- 
mit with a kind of voluntary reluctance. 

Mr. Peter Debary has declined Deane curacy; 
he wishes to be settled near London. A foolish 
reason! as if Deane were not near London in com- 
parison of Exeter or York. Take the whole world 
through, and he will find many more places at a 
greater distance from London than Deane than he 
will at a less. What does he think of Glenooe or 
Lake Katherine? 

I feel rather indignant that any possible objec- 
tion should be raised against so valuable a piece of 
preferment, so delightful a situation! — that Deane 
should not be universally allowed to be as near the 
metropolis as any other country villages. As this 
is the case, however, as Mr. Peter Debary has 
shown himself a Peter in the blackest sense of the 
word, we are obliged to look elsewhere for an heir; 
and my father has thought it a necessary compli- 
ment to James Digweed to oft'er the curacy to him, 
though without considering it as either a desirable 
or an eligible situation for him. Unless he is in 
love with Miss Lyford, I think he had better not 
be settled exactly in this neighborhood; and un- 
less he is very much in love with her indeed, he 
is not likely to think a salary of 50^. equal in value 
or efficiencv to one of 7ol. 



1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 81 

Were you indeed to be considered as one of the 
fixtures of the house ! — but you were never actu- 
ally erected in it either by Mr. Egerton Brydges 
or Mrs. Lloyd. . . . 

You are vevy kind in planning presents for me 
to make, and my mother has shown me exactly the 
same attention; but as I do not choose to have 
generosit}" dictated to me, I shall not resolve on 
giving my cabinet to Anna till the first thought of 
it has been my own. 

Sidmouth is now talked of as our summer abode. 
Get all the information, therefore, about it that 
you can from Mrs. C. Cage. 

My father's old ministers are already deserting 
him to pay their court to his son. The brown 
mare, which, as well as the black, was to devolve 
on James at our removal, has not had patience to 
wait for that, and has settled herself even now at 
Deane. The death of Hugh Capet, which, like 
that of Mr. Skipsey, tliough undesired, was not 
wholly unexpected, being purposely effected, has 
made the immediate possession of the mare very 
convenieiit, and everything else I suppose will be 
seized by degrees in the same manner. Martha 
and I work at the books every day. 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

Miss AusTEx, 
Godmersliam Park, Favershain, Kent. 



82 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [ISOl. 



XX. 



Steventon, Weduesday (January U). 

Poor Miss Ansten! It appears to me that I 
have rather oppressed you of late by the frequency 
of my letters. You had hoped not to hear from 
me again before Tuesday, but Sunday showed you 
with what a merciless sister you had to deal. I 
cannot recall the past, but you shall not hear from 
me quite so often in future. 

Your letter to Mary was duly received before 
she left Deane with Martha yesterday morning, 
and it gives us great pleasure to know that the 
Chilham ball was so agreeable, and that you 
danced four dances with Mr. Kemble. Desirable, 
however, as the latter circumstance was. I cannot 
help wondering at its taking place. Why did you 
dance four dances with so stupid a man? Why 
not rather dance two of them with some elegant 
brother ofiRcer who was struck with your appear- 
ance as soon as you entered the room? 

Martha left you her best love. She will write 
to you herself in a short time; but trusting to my 
memory rather than her own, she has nevertheless 
desired me to ask you to purchase for her two 
bottles of Steele's lavender water when you are in 
town, provided you should go to the shop on your 
OAvn account, otherwise you may be sure that she 
would not have you recollect the request. 



1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 83 

James dined with us yesterday, wrote to Edward 
in the evening, filled three sides of paper, every 
line inclining too much towards the northeast, 
and the very first line of all scratched out, and 
this morning he joins his lady in the fields of 
Elysium and Ibthorp. 

Last Eriday was a very busy day with us. We 
were visited by Miss Lyford and Mr. Bayle. The 
latter began his operations in the house, but had 
only time to finish the four sitting-rooms; the rest 
is deferred till the spring is more advanced and 
the days longer. He took his paper of appraise- 
ment away with him, and therefore w^e only know 
the estimate he has made of one or two articles of 
furniture which my father particularly inquired 
into. I understand, however, that he was of 
opinion that the whole would amount to more than 
two hundred pounds, and it is not imagined that 
this will comprehend the brewhouse and many 
other, etc., etc. 

Miss Lyford was very pleasant, and gave my 
mother such an account of the houses in Westgate 
Buildings, where Mrs. Lyford lodged four years 
ago, as made her think of a situation there with 
great pleasure, but your opposition will be without 
difficulty decisive, and my father, in particular, 
who was very well inclined towards the Row be- 
fore, has now ceased to think of it entirely. At 
present the environs of Laura Place seem to be 



84 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1801. 

his choice. His views on the subject are much 
advanced since I came home; he grows tpite ambi- 
tious, and actually requires now a comfortable and 
a creditable-looking house. 

On Saturday Miss Lj'ford went to her long 
home, — that is to say, it was a long way off, — and 
soon afterwards a party of fine ladies issuing from 
a well-known commodious green vehicle, their 
heads full of Bantam cocks and Galinies, entered 
the house, — Mrs. Heathcote, Mrs. Harwood, Mrs. 
James Austen, Miss Bigg, Miss Jane Blachford. 

Hardly a day passes in which we do not have 
some visitor or other: yesterda}^ came Mrs. Bram- 
stone, who is very sorry that she is to lose us, and 
afterwards Mr. Holder, who was shut up for an 
hour with my father and James in a most awful 
manner. John Bond est a lul. . . . 

XXL 

Steventon, Wednesday (January 21). 

Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being 
overburdened with subject (having nothing at all 
to say), I shall have no check to my genius from 
beginning to end. 

Well, and so Frank's letter has made j'ou very 
happy, but you are afraid he would not have 
patience to stay for the "Haarlem," which you 
wish him to have done as being safer than the 



1801.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 85 

merchantman. Poor fellow! to wait from the 
middle of November to the end of December, and 
perhaps even longer, it must be sad work; espe- 
cially in a place where the ink is so abominably- 
pale. What a surprise to him it must have been 
on October 20, to be visited, collared, and thrust 
out of the " Petterel " by Captain Inglis. He 
kindly passes over the poignancy of his feelings 
in quitting his ship, his officers, and his men. 

What a pity it is that he should not be in 
England at the time of this promotion, because 
he certainl}^ would have had an appointment, so 
everybody says, and therefore it must be right for 
me to say it too. Had he been really here, the 
certainty of the appointment, I dare say, would 
not have been half so great, but as it could not be 
brought to the proof, his absence will be always a 
lucky source of regret. 

Eliza talks of having read in a newspaper that 
all the first lieutenants of the frigates whose cap- 
tains were to be sent into lin,e-i)f-battle ships were 
to be promoted to the rank of commanders. If it 
be true, Mr. Valentine may afford himself a fine 
Valentine's knot, and Charles may perhaps become 
first of the "Endymion, " though I suppose Cap- 
tain Durham is too likely- to bring a villain with 
him under that denomination. . . . 

The neighborhood have quite recovered the death 
of Mrs. Rider, — so much so, that I think they are 



86 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. 

rather rejoiced at it now; her things were so very 
dear! and Mrs. Rogers is to he all that is desi- 
rable. Not even death itself can fix the friendship 
of the world. . . . 

The Wylmots being robbed must be an amusing 
thing to their acquaintance, and I hope it is as 
miich their pleasure as it seems their avocation to 
be subjects of general entertainment. 

1 have a great mind not to acknowledge the 
receipt of your letter, Avhich I have just had the 
pleasure of reading, because I am so ashamed to 
compare the sprawling lines of this with it. But 
if I say all that I have to say, I hojDe I have no 
reason to hang myself. . . . 

AVhy did not J. D. make his proposals to you? 
I suppose he went to see the cathedral, that he 
might know how he should like to be married 
in it. , . . 

Miss Austen, 

Godmershani Park, Faveisham, Kent. 

XXII. 

SouTHAMPTOx, Wedjiesclaj (January 7, 1807). 
My dear Cassandra, — You were mistaken 
in supposing I should expect 3^our letter on Sun- 
day; I had no idea of hearing from you before 
Tuesday, and my pleasure yesterda}^ was therefore 
unhurt by an}' previous disappointment. I thank 



1S07.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 87 

3-011 for writing so much; 3-ou must really have 
sent me the value of two letters in one. We are 
extremely glad to hear that Elizabeth is so much 
better, and hope you will be sensible of still 
further amendment in her when you return from 
Canterbury. 

Of your visit there I must now speak " inces- 
santl}'^; " it surprises, but pleases me more, and I 
consider it as a very just and honorable distinc- 
tion of you, and not less to the credit of Mrs. 
Knight. I have no doubt of your spending your 
time with her most pleasantly in quiet and rational 
conversation, and am so far from thinking her ex- 
pectations of you will be deceived, that my only 
fear is of your being so agreeable, so much to her 
taste, as to make her wish to keep you with her 
forever. If that should be the case, we must re- 
move to Canterbur}^, which I should not like so 
well as Southampton. 

When you receive this, our guests will be all 
gone or going; and I shall be left to the com- 
fortable disposal of my time, to ease of mind from 
the torments of rice puddings and apple dump- 
lings, and probably to regret that I did not take 
more pains to please them all. 

Mrs. J. Austen has asked mo to return with her 
to Steventon; I need not give my answer; and 
she has invited my mother t) spend there the time 
of Mrs. F. A.'s confinement, which she seems half 
inclined to do. 



88 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. 

A few daj^s ago I had a letter from Miss Irvine, 
and as I was in her debt, you will guess it to be a 
remonstrance, not a very severe one, however; the 
first page is in her usual retrospective, jealous, 
inconsistent style, but the remainder is chatty and 
harmless. She supposes my silence may have pro- 
ceeded from resentment of her not haviiig written 
to inquire particularly after my liooj)ing-cough, 
etc. She is a funny one. 

I have answered her letter, and have endeavored 
to give something like the truth with as little 
incivilit_y as I could, by placing my silence to the 
w^ant of subject in the very qiiiet way in which 
we live. Phebe has repented, and stays. I have 
also written to Charles, and I answered Miss 
Buller's letter by return of j^ost, as I intended to 
tell 3^ou in my last. 

Two or three things I recollected when it was 
too late, that I might have told 3'ou; one is that 
the AVelbys have lost their eldest son by a putrid 
fever at Eton, and another that Tom Chute is go- 
ing to settle in N^orfolk. 

You have scarcely ever mentioned Lizzy since 
your being at Grodmersham. I hope it is not be- 
cause she is altered for the worse. 

I cannot yet satisfy Fanny as to Mrs. Foote's 
baby's name, and I must not encourage her to ex- 
pect a good one, as Captain Foote is a professed 
adversary to all but the plainest; he likes only 



1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 89 

Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, etc. Our best chance is of 
" Caroline," which in compliment to a sister seems 
the only exception. 

He dined with us on Friday, and I fear will not 
soon venture again, for the strength of our dinner 
was a boiled leg of mutton, underdone even for 
James; and Captain Foote has a particular dis- 
like to underdone mutton; but he was so good- 
humored and pleasant that I did not much mind 
his being starved. He gives us all the most cor- 
dial invitation to his house in the country, saying 
just what the Williams ought to say to make us 
welcome. Of them we have seen nothing since 
you left us, and we hear that they are just gone to 
15ath again, to be out of the wa}^ of further altera- 
tions at Brooklands. 

Mrs. F. A. has had a very agreeable letter from 
Mrs. Dickson, who was delighted with the pui-se, 
and desires her not to provide herself with a chris- 
tening dress, which is exactly what her young 
correspondent wanted; and she means to defer 
making any of the caps as long as she can, in hope 
of having Mrs. D.'s present in time to be service- 
able as a pattern. She desires me to tell you that 
the gowns were cut out before your letter arrived, 
but that they are long enough for Caroline. The 
Beds, as I believe they are called, have fallen to 
Frank's share to continiu^, and of course are cut 
out to admiration. 



90 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. 

*' Alpliousine " did not do. We were dis- 
gusted in twenty pages, as, independent of a bad 
translation, it lias indelicacies wliicli disgrace a 
pen hitherto so pure; and we changed it for the 
"Female Quixote," which now makes our evening 
amusement; to me a very high one, as I find the 
work quite equal to what I remembered it. Mrs. 
r. A., to whom it is new, enjoys it as one could 
wish; the other Mary, I believe, has little pleasure 
from that or any other book. 

My mother does not seem at all more disap- 
pointed than ourselves at the termination of the 
family treaty; she thinks less of that just now 
than of the comfortable state of her own finances, 
which she finds on closing her year's accounts 
bej'ond her expectation, as she begins the new 
year with a balance of 30^. in her favor; and when 
she has written her answer to my aunt, which you 
know always hangs a little upon her mind, she 
will be above the world entirel3^ You will have 
a great deal of unreserved discourse with Mrs. K., 
I dare say, upon this subject, as svell as upon 
many other of our family matters. Abuse everj^- 
body but me. 

Thursday. — We expected James yesterday, but 
he did not come; if he comes at all now, his 
visit will be a very short one, as he must return 
to-morrow, that Ajax and the chair may be sent 
to Winchester on Saturday. Caroline's new pelisse 



1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 91 

depended upon lier mother's being able or not to 
come so far in the chair; how the guinea that will 
be saved by the same means of return is to be 
spent I know not. Mrs. J. A. does not talk much 
of poverty now, though she has no hope of my 
brother's being able to buy another horse next 
summer. 

Their scheme against Warwickshire continues, 
but I doubt the family's being at Stoneleigh so 
early as James says he must go, which is May. 

My mother is afraid I have not been explicit 
enough on the subject of her wealth; she began 
1806 with 68;. she begins 1807 with 99^., and 
this after 321. purchase of stock. Frank too has 
been settling his accounts and making calculations, 
and each party feels quite equal to our present ex- 
penses; but much inci-ease of house-rent would 
not do for either. Frank limits himself, I believe, 
to four hundred a year. 

You wall be surprised to hear that Jenny is not 
yet come back; we have heard nothing of her since 
her reaching Itchingswell, and can only suppose 
that she must be detained by illness in somebody 
or other, and that she has been each day expecting 
to be able to come on the morrow. I am glad I 
did not know beforehand that she was to be absent 
during the whole or almost the wdrole of our 
friends being with us, for though the inconve- 
nience has not been nothing, I should have feared 



92 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. 

still more. Our dinners have certainly suffered 
not a little by having only Molly's head and Molly's 
hands to conduct them; she fries better than she 
did, but not like Jenny. 

We did 7iot take our walk on Friday, it was too 
dirty, nor have we yet done it; we may perhaps 
do something like it to-day, as after seeing Frank 
skate, which he hopes to do in the meadows by the 
beech, we are to treat ourselves with a passage 
over the ferry. It is one of the pleasantest frosts 
I ever knew, so very quiet. I hope it will last 
some time longer for Frank's sake, who is quite 
anxious to get some skating; he tried yesterday, 
but it would not do. 

Our acquaintance increase too fast. He was 
recognized lately by Admiral Bertie, and a few 
days since arrived the Admiral and his daughter 
Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to 
like or dislike in either. To the Berties are to be 
added the Lances, with whose cards we have been 
endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned 
yesterday. They live al)out a mile and three- 
quarters from S. to the right of the new road to 
Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one of 
those which are to be seen almost anywhere among 
the woods on the other side of the Itchen. It is 
a handsome building, stands high, and in a very 
beautiful situation. 

We found only Mrs. Lance at home, and whether 



1807] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 93 

she boasts any offspring besides a grand piano- 
forte did not appear. She was civil and chatty 
enough, and offered to introduce ns to some ac- 
quaintance in Southam[»ton, which we gratefully 
declined. 

I suppose tliey must be acting by the orders of 
Mr. Lance of Netherton in this civility, as there 
seems no other reason for their coming near us. 
They will not come often, I dare say. They live in 
a handsome style and are rich, and she seemed to 
like to be rich, and we gave her to understand that 
we were far from being so ; she will soon feel there- 
fore that we are not worth her acquaintance. 

You must have heard from Martha by this 
time. We have had no accounts of Kintbury since 
her letter to me. 

Mrs. F. A. has had one fainting fit lately; it 
came on as usual after eating a hearty dinner, but 
did not last long. 

I can recollect nothing more to say. When my 
letter is gone, I suppose I shall. 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

I have just asked Caroline if I should send her 
love to her godmamma, to which she answered 
"Yes." 

Miss Austen, 

Godmersham Park, Faversliaiii, Keut. 



94 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [lt^o7. 



XXIII. 

Southampton, February 8. 

. . . Our garden is putting in order by a man 
who bears a remarkably good character, has a very 
fine complexion, and asks something less than the 
first. The shrubs which border the gravel walk, he 
says, are 011I3' sweetbrier and roses, and the latter of 
an indifferent sort ; we mean to get a few of a better 
kind, therefore, and at my own particular desire he 
procures us some syringas. I could not do without 
a syringa, for the sake of Cowper's line. We talk 
also of a laburnum. The border under the terrace 
wall is cleariiig away to receive currants and goose- 
berry bushes, and a spot is found very proper for 
raspberries. 

The alterations and improvements within doors, 
too, advance very properly, and the offices will be 
made very convenient indeed. Our dressing-table 
is constructing on the spot, out of a large kitchen 
table belonging to the house, for doing which we 
have the permission of Mr. Husket, Lord Lans- 
down's painter, — domestic painter, I should call 
him, for he lives in the castle. Domestic chaplains 
have given way to this more necessary office, and 
I suppose whenever the walls want no touching up 
he is employed about my lady's face. 

The morning was so wet that I was afraid we 



1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 95 

should not be able to see our little visitor; but 
Frank, who alone could go to church, called for her 
after service, and she is now talking away at my 
side and examining the treasures of my writing-desk 
drawers, — very happy, I believe. Not at all shy, 
of course. Her name is Catherine, and her sister's 
Caroline. She ise. something like lier brother, and 
as short for her age, but not so well-looking. 

What is become of all the shyness in the world? 
Moral as well as natural diseases disappear in the 
progress of time, and new ones take their place. 
Shyness and the sweating sickness have given Avay 
to confidence and paralytic complaints, . . . 

Evening. — Our little visitor has just left us, and 
left us highly pleased with her; she is a nice, nat- 
ural, open-hearted, affectionate girl, with all the 
ready civility which one sees in the best children 
in the present day; so unlike anything that I was 
myself at her age, that I am often all astonishment 
and shame. Half her time was spent at spillikins, 
which I consider as a very valuable part of our 
household furniture, and as not the least important 
benefaction from the family of Knight to that of 
Austen. 

But I must tell you a story. Mary has for some 
time had notice from Mrs. Dickson of the intended 
arrival of a certain Miss Fowler in this place. 
Miss F. is an intimate friend of Mrs, D., and a 
good deal known as such to Mary. On Thursday 



96 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1807. 

last she called here while we were out. Mary 
found, on our return, her card with only her name 
on it, and she had left word that she would call 
again. The particularity of this made us talk, 
and, among other conjectures, Frank said in joke, 
"I dare say she is staying with the Pearsons." 
The connection of the names struck Mary, and she 
immediately recollected Miss Fowler's having been 
very intimate with persons so called, and, upon 
putting everything together, we have scarcely a 
douht of her being actually staying with the only 
family in the place whom we cannot visit. 

Wliat a contretemps ! in the language of France. 
What an unluckiness ! in that of Madame Duval. 
The black gentleman has certainly employed one 
of his menial imps to bring about this complete, 
though trifling mischief. Miss F. has never 
called again, but we are in daily expectation of it. 
Miss P. has, of course, given her a proper under- 
standing of the business. It is evident that Miss 
F. did not expect or wish to have the visit re- 
turned, and Frank is quite as much on his guard 
for his wife as we could desire for her sake or 
our own. 

We shall rejoice in being so near Winchester 
when Edward beloiigs to it, and can never have 
our spare bed filled more to our satisfaction than 
by him. Does he leave Eltham at Easter? 

We are reading " Clarentine," and are surprised 



1807.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 97 

to find how foolish it is. I remember liking it 
much less on a second reading than at the first, 
and it does not bear a third at all. It is full of 
unnatural conduct and forced difficulties, without 
striking merit of any kind. 

Miss Harrison is going into Devonshire, to at- 
tend Mrs. Dusantoy, as usual. Miss J. is married 
to young Mr. G., and is to be very unhappy. He 
swears, drinks, is cross, jealous, selfish, and brutal. 
The match makes her family miserable, and has 
occasioned his being disinherited. 

The Browns are added to our list of acquaint- 
ance. He conunands the Sea Fencibles here, under 
Sir Thomas, and was introduced at his own desire 
by the latter when we saw him last week. As yet 
the gentlemen only have visited, as Mrs. B. is ill ; 
but she is a nice-looking woman, and wears one of 
the prettiest straw bonnets in the place. 

Monday. — The garret beds are made, and ours 
will be finished to-day. I had hoped it would be 
finished on Saturday, but neither Mrs. Hall nor 
Jenny was able to give help enough for that, and 
I have as yet done very little, and Mary nothing 
at all. This week we shall do more, and I should 
like to have all the five beds completed by the end 
of it. There will then be the window-curtains, 
sofa-cover, and a carpet to be altered. 

I should not be surprised if we were to be vis- 
ited by James again this week; he gave us reason 



98 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [180S. 

to expect him soon, and if tliey go to Eversley he 
cannot come next week. 

There, I flatter myself I have constructed you a 
smartish letter, considering my want of materials; 
but, like my dear Dr. Johnson, I believe I have 
dealt more in notions than facts. 

I hoj^e your cough is gone, and that you are 
otherwise well, and remain, with love, 

Yours affectionately, J, A. 

Miss Austen, 

Godmersham Park, Eaversliain, Kent. 

XXIV. 

Godmersham, Wednesday (June 15, 1808). 
My dear Cassandra, — Where shall I begin? 
Which of all my important nothings shall I tell 
you first? At half after seven yesterday morning 
Henry saw us into our own carriage, and we drove 
away from the Bath Hotel ; which, by the by, had 
been found most uncomfortable quarters, — very 
dirty, very noisy, and very ill-provided. James 
began his journey by the coach at five. Our first 
eight miles were hot; Deptford Hill brought to 
my mind our hot journey into Kent fourteen years 
ago; but after Blackheath we suffered nothing, 
and as the day advanced it grew quite cool. At 
Dartford, wliich we reached within tlie two hours 
and three-quarters, we went to the Bull, the same 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 99 

inn at which we breakfasted in that said jonrney, 
and on the present occasion had about the same 
bad butter. 

At half-past ten we were again off, and, travel- 
ling on without any adventure reached Sitting- 
bourne by three. Daniel was watching for us at 
the door of the George, and I was acknowledged 
very kindly by Mr, and Mrs. Marshall, to the 
latter of whom I devoted my conversation, while 
Mary went out to buy some gloves. A few min- 
utes, of course, did for Sittingbourne; and so off 
we drove, drove, drove, and by six o'clock were at 
Godmersham. 

Our two brothers were walking before the house 
as we approached, as natural as life. Fann}- and 
Lizzy met us in the Hall with a great deal of 
pleasant joy; we went for a few minutes into the 
breakfast-parlor, and then proceeded to our rooms. 
Mary has the Hall chamber. I am in the Yellow 
room — very literally — for I am writing in it at 
this moment. It seems odd to me to have such a 
great place all to myself, and to be at Godmersham 
without you is also odd. 

You are wished for, I assure you: Fanny, who 
came to me as soon as she had seen her Aunt 
James to her room, and stayed while I dressed, 
was as energetic as usual in her longings for you. 
She is grown both in height and size since last 
year, but not immoderately, looks very well, and 



100 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

seems as to conduct and manner just what slie was 
and what one could wish her to continue. 

Elizabeth,! yfiiQ -^yas dressing wdien we arrived, 
came to me for a minute attended by Marianne, 
Charles, and Louisa, and, you will not doubt, gave 
me a very affectionate welcome. That I had re- 
ceived such from Edward also I need not mention ; 
but I do, you see, because it is a pleasure. I never 
saw him look in better health, and Fanny says he 
is perfectly well. I cannot praise Elizabeth's 
looks, but they are probably affected by a cold. 
Her little namesake has gained in beauty in the 
last three years, though not all that Marianne has 
lost. Charles is not quite so lovely as he was. 
Louisa is much as I expected, and Cassandra I find 
handsomer than I expected, though at present dis- 
guised by such a violent breaking-out that she 
does not come down after dinner. She has charm- 
ing eyes and a nice open countenance, and seems 
likely to be very lovable. Her size is magnificent. 

I was agreeabl}^ surprised to find Louisa Bridges 
still here. She looks remarkably well (legacies 
are very wholesome diet), and is just what she 
always was. John is at Sandling. You may 
fancy our dinner-party therefore ; Fanu}^, of course, 
belonging to it, and little Edward, for that day. 
He was almost too happy, his happiness at least 
made him too talkative. 

1 Mrs. Edward Austen. 



1803.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 10 i 

It has struck teu; I must go to breakfast. 

Since breakfast I have liad a tete-a-tete with 
Edward in his room; he wanted to know James's 
j)lans and mine, and from what his own now are I 
think it already nearly certain tliat I shall return 
when they do, though not with them. Edward 
will be going about the same time to Alton, where 
he has business with Mr. Trimmer, and where he 
means his son should join him; and I shall prob- 
ably be his companion to that place, and get on 
afterwards somehow or other. 

I should have preferred a rather longer stay here 
certainly, but there is no prospect of any later con- 
veyance for me, as he does not mean to accompany 
Edward on his return to Winchester, from a very 
natural unwillingness to leave Elizabeth at that 
time. I shall at any rate be glad not to be obliged 
to be an incumbrance on those who have brought 
me here, for, as James has no horse, I must feel in 
their carriage that I am taking his place. We 
were rather crowded yesterday, though it does not 
become me to say so, as I and my boa were of the 
party, and it is not to be supposed but that a child 
of three years of age was fidgety. 

I need scarcely beg you to keep all this to your- 
self, lest it should get round by Anna's means. 
She is very kindly inquired after by her friends 
here, who all regret her not coming with her 
father and mother. 



102 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

I left Hemy, I hope, free from liis tiresome 
complaint, in other respects well, and thinking 
with great pleasure of Cheltenham and Stoneleigh. 

The brewery scheme is quite at an end: at a 
meeting of the subscribers last week it was by 
general, and I believe very hearty, consent dis- 
solved. 

The country is very beautiful. I saw as much 
as ever to admire in my 3'esterday's journey. . . . 

XXY. 

Castle Square, October 13. 

My dearest Cassandra, — 1 have received 
your letter, and with most melancholy anxiety 
was it expected, for the sad news^ reached us 
last night, but without any particulars. It came 
in a short letter to Martha from her sister, begun 
at Steventon and finished in Winchester. 

We have felt, we do feel, for you all, as you 
will not need to be told, — for you, for Fanny, 
for Henry, for Lady Bridges, and for dearest 
Edward, whose loss and whose sufferings seem 
to make those of every other person nothing. God 
be praised that you can say what you do of him: 
that he has a religious mind to bear him up, and 
a disposition that will gradually lead him to 
comfort. 

1 Tlie death of Mrs Edward Austen. 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, 103 

My dear, dear Fanny, I am so thankful that she 
has you with her! You will be everything to her; 
you will give her all the consolation that human 
aid can give. May the Almighty sustain you all, 
and keep you, my dearest Cassandra, well; but for 
the present I dare say you are equal to everything. 

You will know that the poor bo3'S are at 
Steventon. Perhaps it is best for them, as they 
will have more means of exercise and amusement 
there than they could have with us, but I own 
myself disappointed by the arrangement. I 
should have loved to have them with me at such 
a time. I shall write to Edward by this post. 

We shall, of course, hear from you again very 
soon, and as often as you can write. We will 
write as you desire, and I shall add Bookham. 
Hamstall, I suppose, you write to yourselves, 
as you do not mention it. 

What a comfort that Mrs. Deedes is saved from 
present misery and alarm! But it will fall heavy 
i;pon poor Harriot; and as for Lady B., but that 
her fortitude does seem truly great, I should fear 
the effect of such a blow, aud so unlooked for. I 
long to hear more of you all. Of Henry's anguish 
I think with grief and solicitude; but he will ex- 
ert liimself to be of use and comfort. 

With what true sympathy our feelings are 
shared by Martha you need not be told; she is 
the friend and sister under every circumstance. 



104 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808 

We need not enter into a panegyric on the 
departed, but it is sweet to think of her great 
worth, of her solid principles, of her true devo- 
tion, her excellence in every relation of life. It 
is also consolatory to reflect on the shortness of 
the sufferings which led her from this world to 
a better. 

Farewell for the present, my dearest sister. 
Tell Edward that we feel for him and pray for 
him. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

I will write to Catherine. 

Perliajjs you can give me some directions about 
mourning. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersliam Park, Faversham, Kent. 



XXVI. 

Castle Square, Saturday night (October 15). 
My dear Cassandra, — Your accounts make 
us as comfortable as we can expect to be at such 
a time. Edward's loss is terrible, and must be 
felt as such, and these are too early days indeed 
to think of moderation in grief, either in him or 
his afflicted daughter, but soon we may hope that 
our dear Fannj^'s sense of duty to that beloved 
father will rouse her to exertion. For his sake, 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 105 

and as the most acceptable proof of love to tlie 
spirit of her departed mother, she will try to be 
tranquil and resigned. Does she feel you to be 
a comfort to her, or is she too much overpowered 
for anything but solitude? 

Your account of Lizzy is very interesting. 
Poor child! One must hope the impression will 
be strong, and yet one's heart aches for a dejected 
mind of eight years old. 

I suppose you see the corpse? How does it 
appear? We are anxious to be assured that 
Edward will not attend the funeral, but when 
it comes to the point I think he must feel it 
impossible. 

Your parcel shall set off on Monday, and I hope 
the shoes will fit; Martha and I both tried them 
on. I shall send you such of your mourning as 
I think most likely to be useful, reserving for 
myself your stockings and half the velvet, in 
which selfish arrangement I know I am doing 
what you wish. 

I am to be in bombazeen and crape, according 
to what we are told is universal here, and which 
agrees with Martha's previous observation. My 
mourning, however, will not impoverish me, for by 
having my velvet pelisse fresh lined and made up, I 
am sure I shall have no occasion this winter for 
anything new of that sort. I take my cloak for 
the lining, and shall send yours on the chance 



106 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

of its doing something of the same for yon, 
though I believe your pelisse is in better repair 
than mine. One Miss Baker makes my gown 
and tlie other my bonnet, which is to be silk 
covered with crape. 

I have written to Edward Cooper, and hope he 
will not send one of his letters of cruel comfort to 
my poor brother: and yesterday I wrote to Alethea 
Bigg, in reply to a letter from her. She tells us 
in confidence that Catherine is to be married on 
Tuesday se'nnight. Mr. Hill is expected at Many- 
down in the course of the ensuing week. 

We are desired by Mrs. Harrison and Miss 
Austen to say everything proper for them to your- 
self and Edward on this sad occasion, especially 
that nothing but a wish of not giving additional 
trouble where so much is inevitable prevents their 
writing themselves to express their concern. 
They seem truly to feel concern. 

I am glad you can say what you do of Mrs. 
Knight and of Gooduestone in general. It is 
a great relief to me to know that the shock did 
not make any of them ill. But what a task Avas 
yours to announce it! Now I hope you are not 
overpowered with letter-writing, as Henry and John 
can ease you of many of your correspondents. 

Was Mr. Scudamore in the house at the time, 
was any application attempted, and is the seizure 
at all accounted for? 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 107 

Sunday. — As Edward's letter to his son is not 
come here, we know that you must have been 
informed as early as Friday of the boys being at 
Steventon, which I am glad of. 

Upon your letter to Dr. Goddard's being for- 
warded to them, Mary wrote to ask whether my 
mother wished to have her grandsons sent to her. 
We decided on their remaining where they were, 
which I hope my brother will approve of. I am 
sure he will do us the justice of believing that in 
such a decision we sacrificed inclination to what 
we thought best. 

I shall write by the coach to-morrow to Mrs. 
J. A., and to Edward, about their mourning, 
though this day's post will probably bring direc- 
tions to them on that subject from yourselves. 
I shall certainly make use of the opportunity of 
addressing our nejDhew on the most serious of all 
concerns, as I naturally did in my letter to him 
before. The poor boys are, perhaps, more com- 
fortable at Steventon than they could be here, but 
you will understand my feelings with espect to it. 

To-morrow will be a dreadful day for you all. 
Mr. Whitfield's will be a severe duty.^ Glad shall 
I be to hear that it is over. 

That you are forever in our thoughts you will 
not doubt. I see your mournful party m my 

1 Mr. Whitfield was the Rector of Godmershaiu at tliis 
time, liaviny come there iu 1778. 



108 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [180S. 

mind's eye under every varying circumstance of 
the day; and in tlie evening especially figure to 
myself its sad gloom: the efforts to talk, the fre- 
quent summons to melancholy orders and cares, 
and poor Edward, restless in misery, going from 
one room to another, and perhaps not seldom up- 
stairs, to see all that remains of his Elizabeth. 
Dearest Eauny must now look upon herself as his 
prime source of comfort, his dearest friend; as the 
being who is gradually to supply to him, to the 
extent that is possible, what he 1ms lost. This con- 
sideration will elevate and clieer her. 

Adieu. You cannot write too often, as I said 
before. We are heartily rejoiced that the poor 
baby gives you no particular anxiety. Kiss dear 
Lizzy for us. Tell Fanny that I sliall write in a 
day or two to Miss Sharpe. 

My mother is not ill. 

Yours most trul}', J. Austen. 

Tell Henrj^ that a hamper of apples is gone to 
him from Kintbury, and that Mr. Eowle intended 
writing on Eriday (supposing him in London) to 
beg that the charts, etc., may be consigned to 
the care of the Palmers. Mrs. Eowle has also 
written to Miss Palmer to beg she will send for 
them. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 

Godmersham Park, Faversham, Keut. 



180S.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 109 



XXVII. 

Castle Square, Monday (October 24). 

My dear Cassandra, — Edward and George 
came to us soon after seven on Saturday, very well, 
but very cold, having by clioice travelled on the 
outside, and with no greatcoat but what Mr. Wise, 
the coachman, good-naturedly spared them of his, 
as they sat by his side. They were so much 
chilled when they arrived, that I was afraid they 
must have taken cold; but it does not seem at all 
the case: I never saw them looking better. 

They behave extremely well in every respect, 
showing quite as much feeling as one wishes to 
see, and on every occasion speaking of their father 
with the liveliest affection. His letter was read 
over by each of them yesterday, and with many 
tears; George sobbed aloud, Edward's tears do not 
flow so easily; but as far as I can judge they are 
both very properly impressed by what has hap- 
pened. Miss Lloyd, who is a more impartial judge 
than I can be, is exceedingly pleased with them. 

George is almost a new ac(juaintance to me, 
and I find him in a different way as engaging as 
Edward. 

We do not want amusement : bilbocatch, at \ 
which George is indefatigable, spillikins, paper 
ships, riddles, conundrums, and cards, with watch- 



110 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

ing the flow and ebb of the river, and now and 
then a stroll out, keep us well employed; and 
we mean to avail ourselves of our kind papa's 
consideration, by not returning to Winchester till 
quite the evening of Wednesday. 

Mrs. J. A. had not time to get them more than 
one suit of clothes; their others are making here, 
and though I do not believe Southampton is fa- 
mous for tailoring, I hope it will prove itself better 
than Basingstoke. Edward has an old black coat, 
which will save his having a second new one; but 
I find that black pantaloons are considered by 
them as necessary, and of course one would not 
have them made uncomfortable by the want of 
what is usual on such occasions. 

Fanny's letter was received with great pleasure 
yesterday, and her brother sends his thanks and 
will answer it soon. We all saw what she wrote, 
and were very much pleased with it. 

To-morrow I hope to hear from you, and to- 
morrow we must think of poor Catherine. To-day 
Lady Bridges is the heroine of our thoughts, and 
glad shall we be when we can fancy the meeting 
over. There will then be nothing so very bad for 
Edward to undergo. 

The " St. Albans," I find, sailed on the verj^ day 
of my letters reaching Yarmouth, so that we must 
not expect an answer at present; we scarcely feel, 
however, to be in suspense, or only enough to keep 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN". Ill 

our plans to ourselves. We have been obliged to 
explain them to our young visitors, in consequence 
of Fanny's lettc;^ but we have not yet mentioned 
them to Steventon. We are all quite familiarized 
to the idea ourselves ; my mother only wants Mrs. 
Seward to go out at midsummer. 

What sort of a kitchen garden is there? Mrs. 
J. A. expresses her fear of our settling in Kent, 
and, till this proposal was made, we began to look 
forward to it here; my mother was actually talk- 
ing of a house at W^^e. It will be best, however, 
as it is. 

Anne has just given her mistress warning; she 
is going to be married; I wish she would stay her 
year. 

On the subject of matrimony, I must notice 
a wedding in the Salisbury paper, which has 
amused me very much. Dr. Phi Hot to Lady Fran- 
ces St. Lawrence. She wanted to have a husband, 
I suppose, once in her life, and he a Lady Frances. 

I hope 3^our sorrowing party were at church yes- 
terday, and have no longer that to dread. Martha 
was kept at home by a cold, but I went with my 
two nephews, and I saw Edward was much affected 
by the sermon, which, indeed, I could have sup- 
posed purposely addressed to the afflicted, if the 
text had not naturally come in the course of Dr. 
Mant's observations on the Litany : 'All that are 
in danger, necessity, or tribulation,' was the sub- 



112 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

jt'ct of it. The weather did not allow us after- 
wards to get farther than the quay, where George 
was very haj)py as long as we could stay, flying 
about from one side to the other, and skipping on 
board a collier immediately. 

In the evening we had the Psalms and Lessons, 
and a sermon at home, to which thej were very at- 
tentive; but you will not ex})ect to hear that they 
did not retvirn to conundrums the moment it was 
over. Their aunt has written pleasantly of them, 
Avhich was more than I hoped. 

While I write now, George is most industriously 
/nalving and naming paper ships, at which he after- 
wards shoots with horse-chestnuts, brought from 
Steventon on purpose; and Edward equally intent 
over the ''Lake of Killarney," twisting himself 
about in one of our great chairs. 

Tuesday. — Your close-written letter makes me 
quite ashamed of my wide lines; you have sent me 
a great deal of matter, most of it very welcome. 
As to your lengthened stay, it is no more than I 
expected, and what must be, but you cannot sup- 
pose I like it. 

All that you sa}^ of Edward is truly comforta- 
ble; I began to fear that when the bustle of the 
first week was over, his spirits might for a time be 
more depressed; and perhaps one must still expect 
something of the kind. If you escape a bilious at- 
tack, I shall wonder almost as much as rejoice, I 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 113 

am glad you mentioned where Catlierine goes to- 
day; it is a good plan, but sensible people may 
generally be trusted to form such. 

The day began cheerfully, but it is not likely 
to continue what it should, for them or for us. 
We had a little water-party yesterday; I and my 
two nephews went from the Itchen Ferry up to 
Northam, where we landed, looked into the 74, 
and walked home, and it was so much enjoyed 
that I had intended to take them to Netley 
to-day; the tide is just right for our going im- 
mediately after moonshine, but I am afraid 
there will be rain; if we cannot get so far, how- 
ever, we may perhaps go round from the ferry 
to the quay. 

I had not proposed doing more than cross the 
Itchen yesterday, but it proved so pleasant, and 
so much to the satisfaction of all, that when we 
reached the middle of the stream we agreed to be 
rowed up the river; both the boys rowed great 
part of the way, and their questions and remarks, 
as well as their enjoyment, were very amusing; 
George's inquiries were endless, and his eagerness 
in everything reminds me often of his uncle 
Henry. 

Our evening was equally agreeable in its w^ay: 
I introduced speculation, and it was so much ap- 
proved that we hardly knew how to leave off. 

Your idea of an early dinner to-morrow is ex- 



114 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

actly what we propose, for, after writing the first 
part of this letter, it came into my head that at 
this time of year we liave not summer evenings. 
We shall watch the light to-day, that we may not 
give them a dark drive to-morrow. 

They send their best love to papa and every- 
body, with George's thanks for the letter brought 
by this post. Martha begs my brother may be 
assured of her interest in everything relating to 
him and his family, and of her sincerely partaking 
our pleasure in the receipt of every good account 
from Godmersham. 

Of Chawton I think I can have nothing more 
to say, but that everything you say about it in the 
letter now before me will, I am sure, as soon as I 
am able to read it to her, make my mother consider 
the plan with more and more pleasure. We had 
formed the same views on H. Digweed's farm. 

A very kind and feeling letter is arrived to-day 
from Kintbury. Mrs. Fowle's sympathy and solici- 
tude on such an occasion you will be able to do 
justice to, and to express it as she wishes to my 
brother. Concerning you, she says: "Cassandra 
wall, I know, excuse my writing to her; it is not 
to save myself but her that T omit so doing. Give 
my best, my kindest love to her, and tell her I feel 
for her as I know she would for me on the same 
occasion, and that I most sincerely hope her health 
will not suffer," 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 115 

We have just had two hampers of apples from 
Kintbury, and the floor of our little garret is 
almost covered. Love to all. 

Yours very affectionately, J. A. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Faversliam, Keut. 

XXVIII. 

Castle Square, Sunday (November 21). 

Your letter, my dear Cassandra, obliges me to 
write immediately, that yoii may have the earliest 
notice of Frank's intending, if possible, to go to 
Godmersham exactly at the time now fixed for 
your visit to Goodnestone. 

He resolved, almost directly on the receipt of 
your former letter, to try for an extension of his 
leave of absence, that he might be able to go down 
to you for two days, but charged me not to give you 
any notice of it, on account of the uncertainty of 
success. Now, however, I must give it, and now 
perhaps he may be giving it himself; for I am just 
in the hateful predicament of being obliged to 
write what I know will somehow or other be of 
no use. 

He meant to ask for five days more, and if 
they were granted, to go down by Thursday night's 
mail, and spend Friday and Saturday with you; 
and he considered his chance of succeeding by no 
means bad. I hope it will take place as he planned, 



116 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808 

and that your arrangements with Goodnestone may 
admit of suitable alteration. 

Your news of Edward Bridges was quite news, 
for I have had no letter from Wrotham. I wish 
him happy with all my heart, and hoj)e his choice 
may turn out according to his own expectations, 
and beyond those of his family ; and I dare say it 
will. Marriage is a great improver, and in a 
similar situation Harriet may be as amiable as 
Eleanor. As to money, that will come, you may 
be sure, because they cannot do without it. When 
you see him again, pray give him our congratu- 
lations and best wishes. This match will certainly 
set John and Lucy going. 

There are six bedchambers at Chawton; Henry 
wrote to my mother the other day, and luckily 
mentioned the number, which is just what we 
wanted to be assured of. He speaks also of gar- 
rets for store-places, one of which she immediately 
planned fitting up for Edward's man-servant ; 
and now perhaps it must be for our own; for she 
is already quite reconciled to our keeping one. 
The difficulty of doing without one had been 
thought of before. His name shall be Robert, if 
you please. 

Before I can tell you of it, j'ou will have heard 
that Miss Sawbridge is married. It took place, I 
believe, on Thursday. Mrs. Fovvle has for some 
time been in the secret, ^>ut the neighborhood in 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 117 

general were quite unsu.spicious. Mr. Maxwell 
was tutor to the young Gregor3- s, — consequently, 
they must be one of the happiest couples in the 
Avorld, and either of them worthy of envy, for she 
must be excessively in love, and he mounts from 
nothing to a comfortable home. Martha has heard 
him very highly spokeji of. They continue for tlie 
present at Sj)een Hill. 

I have a Southampton match to return for your 
Kentish one, Captain G. Heathcote and Miss A. 
Lyell. I have it from Alethea, and like it, because 
I had made it before. 

Yes, the Stoneleigh business is concluded, but 
it was not till yesterday that my mother was regu- 
larly informed of it, though the news had reached 
us on Monday evening by way of Steventon. My 
aunt says as little as may be on the subject by way 
of information, and nothing at all by way of satis- 
faction. She reflects on Mr. T. Leigh's dilatori- 
ness, and looks about with great diligence and 
success for inconvenience and evil, among which 
she ingeniously places the danger of her new house- 
maids catching cold on the outside of the coach, 
when she goes down to Bath, for a carriage makes 
her sick. 

John Binns has been offered their place, but 
declines it; as she supposes, because he will not 
wear a livery. Whatever be the cause, I like the 
effect. 



118 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

In spite of all my mother's long and intimate 
knowledge of the writer, she was not up to the ex- 
pectation of such a letter as this; the discontented- 
ness of it shocked and surprised her — but I see 
nothing in it out of nature, though a sad nature. 

She does not forget to wish for Chambers, you 
may be sure. No particulars are given, not a word 
of arrears mentioned, thougli in her letter to James 
they were in a general way spoken of. The amount 
(f them is a matter of conjecture, and to my 
mother a most interesting one; she cannot fix any 
time for their beginning with any satisfaction to 
herself but Mrs, Leigh's death, and Henry's two 
thousand pounds neither agrees with that period 
nor any other. I did not like to own our previous 
information of wliat was intended last July, and 
have therefore only said tliat if we could see Henry 
we might hear many particulars, as I had under- 
stood that some confidential conversation had passed 
between him and Mr. T. L. at Stoneleigh. 

We have been as quiet as usual since Frank and 
Mary left us; Mr. Criswick called on Martha that 
very morning on his way home again from Ports- 
moutli, and we have had no visitor since. 

We called on the Miss Lyells one day, and 
heard a good account of Mr. Heathcote's canvass, 
the success of which, of course, exceeds his expec- 
tations. Alethea in her letter hopes for my inter- 
est, which I conclude means Edward's, and I take 



1803] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 119 

tliis opportunity, therefore, of requesting that he 
will bring in Mr. Heathcote. Mr. Lane told us 
yesterday that Mr. H. had behaved very hand- 
somely, and waited on Mr. Thistlethwaite, to say 
that if he (Mr. T.) would stand, he (Mr. H.) would 
not oppose him; but Mr. T. declined it, acknowl- 
edging himself still smarting under the payment 
of late electioneering costs. 

The Mrs. Hulberts, we learn from Kintbury, 
come to Steventon this week, and bring Mary Jane 
Fowle with them on her way to Mrs. Nune's; she 
returns at Christmas with her brother. 

Our brother we may perhaps see in the course of 
a few days, and we mean to take the opportunity 
of his help to go one night to the play. Martha 
ought to see the inside of the theatre once while 
she lives in Southampton, and I think she will 
hardly wish to take .a second view. 

The furniture of Bellevue is to be sold to-mor- 
row, and we shall take it in our usual walk, if the 
weather be favorable. 

How could you have a wet day on Thursday? 
With us it was a prince of da3"S, the most delight- 
ful we have had for weeks ; soft, bright, with a brisk 
wind from the southwest; everybody was out and 
talking of spring, and Martha and I did not know 
how to turn back. On Friday evening we had 
some very blowing weather, — from six to nine; 
I think we never heard it worse, even here. And 



120 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

one night we bad so much rain that it forced its 
way again into the store-closet; and though the 
evil was comparatively slight and the mischief 
nothing, I had some employment the next day in 
drying parcels, etc. I have now moved still more 
out of the way. 

Martha sends her best love, and thanks you for 
admitting her to the knowledge of the pros and 
cons about Harriet Poote; she has an interest in 
all such matters. I am also to say that she wants 
to see you. Mary Jane missed her papa and 
mamma a good deal at first, but now does very 
well without them. I am glad to hear of little 
John's being better, and hope your accounts of 
Mrs. Knight will also improve. Adieu! remem- 
ber me affectionately to everybody, and believe me, 
Ever yours, J. A. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Favershain, Keut. 

XXIX. 

Castle Square, Friday (December 9). 
Many thanks, my dear Cassandra, to you and 
Mr, Deedes for your joint and agreeable composi- 
tion, which took me by surj^rise this morning. He 
has certainly great merit as a writer; he does am- 
ple justice to his subject, and without being dif- 
fuse is clear and correct; and though I do nut 



1808] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 121 

mean to compare his epistolary powers with yours, 
or to give him the same portion of my gratitude, 
he certainly has a very pleasing way of winding up 
a whole, and speeding truth into the world. 

''But all this," as my dear Mrs. Piozzi says, 
''is flight and fancy and nonsense, for my master 
has his great casks to mind and I have my little 
children." It is you, however, in this instance, 
that have the little children, and I that have the 
great cask, for we are brewing spruce beer again; 
but my meaning really is, that I am extremely 
foolish in writing all this unnecessary stuff when 
I have so many matters to write about that my 
paper will hardly hold it all. Little matters they 
are, to be sure, but highly important. 

In the first place. Miss Curling is actually at 
Portsmouth, which I was always in hopes would not 
happen. I wish her no worse, however, than along 
and happy abode there. Here she would probably 
be dull, and I am sure she would be troublesome. 

The bracelets are in my possession, and every- 
thing I could wish them to be. They came 
with Martha's pelisse, which likewise gives great 
satisfaction. 

Soon after I had closed my last letter to you we 
were visited by Mrs. Dickens and her sister-in- 
law, Mrs. Bertie, the wife of a lately made Admiral. 
Mrs. F. A.,^ I believe, was their first object, but 
1 Frank Austeu. 



122 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

tlie_y put up with us very kindl}', and Mrs. D., 
finding in Miss Lloj'd a friend of Mrs. Dundas, had 
another motive for the acquaintance. She seems 
a really agreeable woman, — that is, her manners 
are gentle, and she knows a great many of our 
connections in West Kent. Mrs. Bertie lives in 
the Polygon, and was out when we returned her 
visit, which are her two virtues. 

A larger circle of acquaintance, and an increase 
of amusement, is quite in character with our ap- 
proaching removal. Yes, I mean to go to as many 
balls as possible, that I may have a good bargain. 
Everybody is very much concerned at our going 
away, and everybody is acquainted with Chawton, 
and speaks of it as a remarkably pretty village, 
and everybody knows the house we describe, but 
nobody fixes on the right. 

I am very much obliged to Mrs. Knight for 
such a proof of the interest she takes in me, and 
she may depend upon it tliat I will marry Mr. 
Papillon, whatever may be his reluctance or my 
own. I owe her much more than such a trilling 
sacrifice. 

Our ball was rather more amusing than I ex- 
pected. Martha liked it very much, and I did not 
gape till the last quarter of an hour. It was past 
nine before we were sent for, aiid not twelve when 
we returned. The room was tolerably full, and 
there were, perhaps, thirty couple of dancers. The 



1803.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 123 

melancholy part was to see so many dozen young 
women standing by without j^artners, and each of 
them with two ugly naked shoulders. 

It was the same room in which we danced fifteen 
3'ears ago. I thought it all over, and in spite of 
the shame of being so much older, felt with thank- 
fulness that I was quite as happy now as then. 
We paid an additional shilling for our tea, which 
we took as we chose in an adjoining and very com- 
fortable room. 

There were only four dances, and it went to my 
lieart that the Miss Lances (one of them, too, 
named Emma) should have partners only for two. 
You will not expect to hear that I was asked to 
dance, but I w:as — 'by the gentleman whom we 
met thafSunday with Captain D'Auvergne. We 
have always kept up a bowing acquaintance since, 
and, being pleased with his black eyes, I spoke to 
him at the ball, which brought on me this civility; 
but I do not know his name, and he seems so little 
at home in the English language that I believe 
his black eyes may be the best of him. Captain 
D'Auvergne has got a ship. 

Martha and I made use of the very favorable 
state of yesterday for walking, to pay our duty at 
Chiswell. We found Mrs. Lance at home and 
alone, and sat out three other ladies who soon came 
in. We went by the ferry, and returned by the 
bridge, and were scarcely at all fatigued. 



124 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

Edward must have enjoyed the last two days. 
You, I presume, had a cool drive to Canterbury. 
Kitty Foote came on Wednesday; and her evening 
visit began early enough for the last part, the apple- 
pie, of our dinner, for we never dine now till five. 

Yesterday I — or rather, you — had a letter from 
Nanny Milliard, the object of which is that she 
would be very much obliged to us if we would get 
Hannah a place. I am sorry that I cannot assist 
her; if you can, let me know, as I shall not answer 
the letter immediately. Mr. Sloper is married 
again, not much to Nanny's, or anybody's satisfac- 
tion. The lady was governess to Sir Robert's 
natural children, and seems to have nothing to 
recommend her. I do not find, however, that 
Nanny is likely to lose her place m consequence. 
She says not a word of what service she wishes for 
Hannah, or what Hannah can do; but a nursery, I 
suppose, or something of that kind, must be the 
thing. 

Having now cleared away my smaller articles 
of news, I come to a communication of some 
weight; no less than that my uncle and aunt i are 
going to allow James 1001. a year. We hear of it 
through Steventon. Mary sent us the other day 
an extract from my aunt's letter on the subject, in 
which the donation is made with the greatest kind- 
ness, and intended as a comj)ensation for his loss 

1 Mr. and Mrs Leio-h I'errot. 



1803.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 125 

in the conscientious refusal of Hampstead living; 
100/. a year being all that he had at the time 
called its worth, a.s I find it was always intended 
at Steventon to divide the real income with 
Kintbury. 

Nothing can be more affectionate than my aunt's 
language in making the present, and likewise in 
expressing her hope of their being much more to- 
gether in future than, to her great regret, they 
have of late years been. My expectations for my 
mother do not rise with this event. We will allow 
a little more time, however, before we fly out. 

If not prevented b}^ parish business, James 
comes to us on Monday. The Mrs. Hulberts and 
Miss Murden are their guests at present, and 
likely to continue such till Christmas. Anna 
comes home on the 19th. The hundred a year 
begins next Lady-day. 

I am glad you are to have Henry with j^ou 
again; with him and the boys you cannot but have 
a cheerful, and at times even a merry, Christmas. 
Martha is so \^3fSS. torn'] . . . We want to be 
settled at Chawton in time for Henry to come to 
us for some shooting in October, at least, or a 
little earlier, and Edward may visit us after tak- 
ing his boys back to Winchester. Suppose we 
name the 4th of September. Will not that do? 

I have but one thing more to tell you. Mrs. 
Hill called on my mother yesterday while we were 



126 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

gone to ChLswell, and in the course of the visit 
asked her whether she knew anything of a clergy- 
man's family of the name of Alford, who had re- 
sided in our part of Hampshire. Mr.s. Hill had 
been applied to as likely to give some information 
of them on account of their probable vicinity to 
Dr. Hill's living by a lady, or for a lady, who had 
known Mrs. and the two Miss Alfords in Bath, 
whither they had removed it seems from Hamp- 
shire, and who now wishes to convey to the Miss 
Alfords some work or trimming which slie has been 
doing for them; but the mother and daughters 
have left Bath, and the lady cannot learn where 
they are gone to. While my mother gave us the 
account, the probability of its being ourselves oc- 
curred to us, and it had previously struck herself 
. . . what makes it more likely, and even indis- 
pensably to be us, is that she mentioned Mr. Ham- 
mond as now having the living or curacy which 
the father had had. I cannot think who our kind 
lady can be, but I dare say we shall not like the 
work. 

Distribute the affectionate love of a heart not so 
tired as the right hand belonging to it. 

Yours ever sincerely, J. A. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austex's, E.sq., 
Godnieroham Park, Eaversham, Kent. 



1808.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 127 

XXX. 

Castle Square, Tuesday (December 27). 

My dear Cassandra, — I can now write at 
leisure and make the most of my subjects, which 
is luck}^, as they are not numerous this week. 

Our house was cleared by half-past eleven on 
Saturday, and we had the satisfaction of hearing 
yestei'day that the party reached home in safety 
soon after five, 

I was very glad of your letter this morning; for, 
mj^ mother taking medicine, Eliza keeping her bed 
with a cold, and Choles not coming, made us rather 
dull and dependent on the post. You tell me niucli 
that gives me pleasure, but I think not much to 
answer. I wish I could help you in your needle- 
work. I have two hands and a new thimble that 
lead a very easy life. 

Lady Sondes' match surprises, but does not 
offend me; had her first marriage been of affec- 
tion, or had there been a grown-up single daughter, 
I should not have forgiven her; but I consider 
everybody as having a right to marry once in their 
lives for love, if they can, and provided she will now 
leave off having bad headaches and being pathetic, 
I can allow her, I can wish her, to be happy. 

Do not imagine that your picture of your tete- 
a-tite with Sir B. makes any change in our ex- 
pectations here; he could not be really reading, 



128 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1S08 

though lie held tlie newspaper in his hand; he was 
making up his mind to the deed, and the manner 
of it. I think you will have a letter from him 
soon. 

I heard from Portsmouth yesterda}-, and as I 
am to send them more clothes, they cannot he 
expecting a very early return to us. Mary's face 
is pretty well, hut she must have suffered a great 
deal with it; an abscess was formed and opened. 

Our evening party on Thursday produced noth- 
ing more remarkable than Miss Murden's coming 
too, though she had declined it absolutely in the 
morning, and sitting very ungracious and very 
silent with us from seven o'clock till half after 
eleven, for so late was it, owing to the chairmen, 
before we got rid of them. 

The last hour, spent in yawning and shivering 
in a wide circle round the fire, was dull enough, 
but the tray had admirable success. The widgeon 
and the preserved ginger were as delicious as one 
could wish. But as to our black butter, do not 
decoy anybody to Southampton by such a lure, for 
it is all gone. The first pot was opened when 
Frank and INlary were here, and proved not at all 
what it ought to be; it was neither solid nor en- 
tirely sweet, and on seeing it, Eliza remembered 
that Miss Austen liad said she did not think it 
had been boiled enough. It was made, you know, 
when we were absent. Such being the event of 



1808] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 129 

the first pot, I would not save the second, and 
we therefore ate it in unpretending privacj^; and 
though not what it ought to be, part of it was very 
good. 

James means to keep three horses on this in- 
crease of income ; at present he has but one. Mary 
wislies the other two to be fit to carry women, and 
in the purchase of one Edward will probably be 
called upon to fulfil his promise to his godson. 
We have now pretty well ascertained James's in- 
come to be eleven hundred pounds, curate paid, 
wliich makes us ver^- happy, — the ascertainment 
as well as the income. 

Mary does not talk of the garden; it may w^ell 
be a disagreeable subject to her, but her husband 
is persuaded that nothing is wanting to make the 
first new one good but trenching, which is to be 
done by his own servants and John Bond, by de- 
grees, not at the expense which trenching the 
other amounted to. 

I was happy to hear, chieflj'' for Anna's sake, 
that a ball at Manydown was once more in agita- 
tion; it is called a child's ball, and given by Mrs. 
Heathcote to Wm. Such was its beginning at 
least, but it will probably swell into something 
more. Edward was invited during his stay at 
Manydown, and it is to take place between this 
and Twelfth-day. Mrs. Hulbert has taken Anna 
a pair of white shoes on the occasion. 

9 



130 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1808. 

I forgot in my last to tell jou that we hear, by 
way of Kinthury ami the Palmers, that they were 
all well at Bermuda in the beginning of Nov. 

Wednesday. — Yesterday must have been a day 
of sad remembrance at Gm.^ I am glad it is over. 
We spent Friday evening with our friends at the 
boarding-house, and our curiositj^ was gratified by 
the sight of their fellow-inmates, Mrs. Drew and 
Miss Hook, Mr. Wynne and Mr. Fitzhugh; the 
latter is brother to Mrs. Lance, and very much 
the gentleman. He has lived in that house more 
than twenty years, and, poor man! is so totally 
deaf that they say he could not hear a cannon, were 
it fired close to him; having no cannon at hand to 
make the experiment, I took it for granted, and 
talked to him a little with my fingers, which 
was funny enough. I recommended him to read 
"Corinna." 

Miss Hook is a well-behaved, genteelish woman; 
Mrs. Drew well behaved, without being at all 
genteel. Mr. Wynne seems a chatty and rather 
familiar j^oung man. Miss Murden was quite a 
different creature this last evening from what she 
had been before, owing to her having with 
Martha's help found a situation in the morning, 
which bids very fair for comfort. When she leaves 
Steventon, she comes to board and lodge with Mrs. 
Hookey, the chemist — for there is no Mr. Hooke^'. 
1 Godmersham, Edward Austen's place. 



1808.] LETTERS OE JANE AUSTEN. 131 

I cannot say that I am in any hurry for the con- 
clusion of her present visit, but I was truly glad 
to see her comfortable in mind and spirits; at her 
age, perhaps, one may be as friendless oneself, and 
in similar circumstances quite as captious. 

My mother has been lately adding to her posses- 
sions in plate, — a whole tablespoon and a whole 
dessert-spoon, and six whole teaspoons, — which 
makes our sideboard border on the magnificeut. 
They were mostly the produce of old or useless sil- 
A'er. I have turned the lis. in the list into 12s., 
and the card looks all the better; a silver tea-ladle 
is also added, which will at least answer the pur- 
pose of making us sometimes think of John 
Warren . 

I have laid Lady Sondes' case before Martha, 
who does not make the least objection to it, and is 
particularly pleased with the name of Montresor. 
I do not agree with her there, but I like his rank 
very much, and always affix the ideas of strong 
sense and highly elegant manners to a general. 

I must write to Charles next week. You may 
guess in what extravagant terms of praise Earle 
Harwood speaks of him. He is looked up to by 
everybody in all America. 

I shall not tell you anj^thing more of Wm. Dig- 
weed's china, as your silence on the subject makes 
you unworth}^ of it. Mrs. H. Digweed looks for- 
ward with great satisfaction to our being her 



132 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEX. [1808. 

neiglibors. I would have her enjoy the idea to the 
utmost, as I suspect there will uot be much in the 
reality. Witli e<j[ual pleasure we anticipate an in- 
timacy with her husband's bailiff and his wife, 
who live close by us, and are said to be remarkably 
good sort of people. 

Yes, yes, we will have a pianoforte, as good a 
one as can be got for thirty guineas, and I will 
practise country dances, that we may have some 
amusement for our nephews and nieces, when we 
have the j^leasure of their company. 

Martha sends her love to Henr}', and tells him 
that he will soon have a bill of Miss Chaplin's, 
about 14Z., to pay on her account; but the bill 
shall not be sent in till his return to town. I hope 
he conies to you in good health, and in spirits as 
good as a first return to Godmersham can allow. 
With his ne[)hews he will force himself to be 
cheerful, till he really is so. Send me some intel- 
ligence of Eliza; it is a long while since I have 
heard of her. 

We have had snow on the ground here almost a 
week; it is now going, but Southampton must 
boast no longer. We all send our love to Edward 
junior and his brothers, and 1 hope Speculation is 
generally liked. 

Fare you well. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. Austen. 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 133 

My motlier has not been out of doors this week, 

but she keeps pretty well. We have received 

tlirough Bookhani an indifferent account of your 

godmotlier. 

Miss Austen, EnwARn Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Eaversliam, Keut. 



XXXI. 

Castle Square, Tuesday (January 10, 1809). 

I AM not surprised, my dear Cassandra, that you 
did not find my last letter very full of matter, and 
I wish this may not have the same deficienc)^; but 
we are doing notliing ourselves to write about, and 
I am therefore quite dependent upon the communi- 
cations of our friends, or my own wits. 

This post brought me two interesting letters, 
yours and one from Bookham, in answer to an in- 
quiry of mine about your good godmother, of whom 
we had lately received a very alarming account 
from Paragon. Miss Arnold Avas the informant 
then, and she spoke of Mrs. E. L. having been 
very dangerously ill, and attended by a physician 
from Oxford. 

Your letter to Adlestrop may perhaps bring you 
information from the spot, but in case it should 
not, I must tell you that she is better; though Dr. 
Bourne cannot yet call her out of danger; such was 
the case last Wednesday, and Mrs. Cooke's having 



134 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

had no later account is a favorable sign. I am to 
hear again from the latter next week, but not this, 
if everything goes on well. 

Her disorder is an inflammation on the lungs, 
arising from a severe chill taken in cliurch last 
Sunday three weeks; her mind all pious compo- 
svire, as may be supposed. George Cooke was there 
when her illness began ; his brother has now taken 
his place. Her age and feebleness considered, 
one's fears cannot but preponderate, though her 
amendment has already surpassed the expectation 
of the phj'sician at the beginning. I am sorry to 
add that Becky is laid up with a complaint of the 
same kind. 

I am very glad to have the time of your return 
at all fixed; we all rejoice in it, and it will not be 
later than I had expected. I dare not hope that 
Mary and Miss Curling may be detained at Ports- 
mouth so long or half so long; but it would be 
worth twopence to bare it so. 

The " St. Albans " perhaps may soon be off to 
help bring home what may remain by this time of 
our poor army, whose state seems dreadfully criti- 
cal. The ''Regency" seems to have been heard 
of only here; my most political correspondents 
make no mention of it. Unlucky that I should 
have wasted so much reflection on the subject. 

I can now answer ^^our question to my mother 
more at large, and likewise more at small — with 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 135 

equal perspicuity and minuteness ; for the very day 
of our leaving Southampton is fixed; and if the 
knowledge is of no use to Edward, I am sure it 
will give him pleasure. Easter Monday, April 3, 
is the day; we are to sleep that night at Alton, 
and be with our friends at Bookham the next, if 
they are then at home; there we remain till the 
following Monday, and on Tuesday, April 11, 
hope to be at Godmersham. If the Cookes are 
absent, we shall finish our journey on the 5th. 
These plans depend of course upon the weather, 
but I hope there will be no settled cold to delay 
us materially. 

To make you amends for being at Bookham, it 
is in contemplation to spend a few days at Baiton 
Lodge in our way out of Kent. The hint of such a 
visit is most affectionately welcomed by Mrs. Birch, 
in one of her odd pleasant letters lately, in which 
she speaks of us with the usual distinguished kind- 
ness, declaring that slie shall not be at all satisfied 
vniless a very handsome present is made us imme- 
diately from one quarter. 

Fanny's not coming with you is no more than 
we expected; and as we have not the hope of a 
bed for her, and shall see her so soon afterwards 
at Godmersham, we cannot wish it otherwise. 

William will be quite recovered, I trust, by the 
time you receive this. What a comfort his cross- 
stitch must have been! Pray tell him that I should 



136 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

like to see his work very much. I hope our 
answers this morning have given satisfaction; we 
had great pleasure in Uncle Deedes' packet; and 
pray let Marianne know, in private, that I think 
she is quite right to work a rug for Uncle John's 
coffee urn, and that I am sure it must give great 
pleasure to herself now, and to him when he 
receives it. 

The preference of Brag over Speculation does 
not greatly surprise me, I believe, because I feel 
the same m3'self ; but it mortifies me deeply, be- 
cause Speculation was under my patronage; and, 
after all, what is there so delightful in a pair 
royal of Braggers? It is but three nines or three 
knaves, or a mixture of them. When one comes to 
reason upon it, it cannot stand its ground against 
Speculation, — of which I hope Edward is now 
convinced. Give my love to him if he is. 

The letter from Paragon before mentioned was 
much like those which had preceded it, as to the 
felicity of its writer. Tliey found their house so 
dirty and so damp that they were obliged to be a 
week at an inn. John Biuns had behaved most 
unhandsomely, and engaged himself elsewhere. 
They have a man, however, on the same footing, 
which my aunt does not like, and she finds both 
him and the new maid-servant very, very inferior 
to Robert and Martha. Whether they mean to 
have any other domestics does not appear, nor 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 137 

whether they are to ]iave a carriage while they are 
in Bath. 

The Holders are as usual, though I believe it 
is not very usual for them to be happy, which they 
now are at a great rate, in Hooper's marriage. 
The Irvines are not mentioned. The American 
lady improved as we went on; but still the same 
faults in part recurred. 

We are now in Margiana, and like it A'ery well 
indeed. We are just going to set off for North- 
umberland to be shut up in Widdrington Tower, 
where there must be two or three sets of victims 
already immured under a very fine villain. 

Wednesda?/. — Your report of Eliza's health 
gives me great pleasure, and the progress of the 
bank is a constant source of satisfaction. With 
such increasing profits, tell Henry that I hope he 
will not work poor High-Diddle so hard as he used 
to do. 

Has your newspaper given a sad story of a 
Mrs. Middleton, wife of a farmer in Yorkshire, her 
sister, and servant, being almost frozen to death in 
the leat weather, her little child quite so? I hope 
the sister is not our friend Miss Woodd, and I 
rather think her brother-in-law had moved into 
Lincolnshire, but their name and station accord 
too well. Mrs. M. and the maid are said to be 
tolerably recovered, but the sister is likely to lose 
the use of her limbs. 



138 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

Charles's rug will be finished to-day, and sent 
to-morrow to Frank, to be consigned b}' him to Mr. 
Turner's care; and I am going to send Marmion 
out with it, — very generous in me, I think. 

As we have no letter from Adlestrop, we may 
suppose the good woman was alive on Monday, 
but I cannot help expecting bad news from thence 
or Bookham in a few da3's. Do you continue quite 
well? 

Have you nothing to say of your little name- 
sake? AVe join in love and many happy returns. 
Yours affectionatel}^, J. Austex. 

The Manydown ball was a smaller thing than I 
expected, but it seems to have made Anna very 
happy. At her age it would not have done for me. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Faversham, Keut. 

XXXII. 

Castle Square, Tuesday (January 17). 
My dear Cassandra, — I am happy to say 
that we had no second letter from Bookham last 
week. Yours has brought its usual measure of 
satisfaction and amusement, and I beg 3'our accept- 
ance of all the thanks due on the occasion. Your 
offer of cravats is very kind, and happens to be 
particularly adapted to my wants, but it was an 
odd thing to occur to 3'ou. 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 139 

Yes, we have got another fall of snow, and are 
very dreadful; everything seems to turn to snow 
this winter. 

I hope you have had no more illness among you, 
and that William will be soon as well as ever. 
His working a footstool for Chawton is a most 
agreeable surprise to me, and I am sure his grand- 
mamma will value it very much as a proof of his 
affection and industry, but we shall never have the 
heart to put our feet u^^on it. I believe I must 
work a muslin cover in satin stitch to keep it from 
the dirt. I long to know what his colors are. I 
guess greens and purples. 

Edward and Henry have started a difficulty re- 
specting our journey, which, I must own with 
some confusion, had never been thought of by us; 
but if the former expected by it to prevent our 
travelling into Kent entirely, he will be disap- 
pointed, for we have already determined to go the 
Croydon road on leaving Bookham and sleep at 
Dartford. "Will not that do? There certainlj'- 
does seem no convenient resting-place on the other 
road. 

Anna went to Clanville last Friday, and I have 
hopes of her new avmt's being really worth her 
knowing. Perhaps you may never have heard that 
James and Mary paid a morning visit there in 
form some weeks ago, and Mary, though by no 
means disposed to like her, was very much pleased 



140 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

with lier indeed. Her praise, to be sure, proves 
nothing more than Mrs. M.'s being civil and at- 
tentive to them, but her being so is in favor of 
her having good sense. Mary writes of Anna as 
improved in person, but gives her no other com- 
mendation. I am afraid her absence now may 
dejirive her of one pleasure, for that silly Mr. 
Hammond is actually to give his ball on Friday. 

We had some reason to expect a visit from Earle 
Harwood and James this week, but they do not 
come. Miss Murden arrived last night at Mrs. 
Hoohey's, as a message and a basket announced to 
us. You will therefore return to an enlarged and, 
of course, improved society here, especially as the 
Miss Williamses are come bach. 

We were agreeably surprised the other day by a 
visit from your beauty and mine, each in a new 
cloth mantle and bonnet; and I dare say you will 
A^alue yourself much on the modest propriety of 
Miss W. 's taste, hers being 2^i"'l»le and Miss 
Grace's scarlet. 

I can easily suppose that your six weeks here 
will be fully occu})ied, were it only in lengthening 
the waists of your gowns. I have pretty well ar- 
ranged my sjiring and summer plans of that kind, 
and mean to wear out my spotted muslin before I 
go. You will exclaim at this, but mine really has 
signs of feebleness, which with a little care may 
come to something. 



1809.] LETTERS OF J AXE AUSTEN. 141 

Martha and Dr. Mant are as bad as ever; he 
runs after her in the street to apologize for having 
spoken to a gentleman while she was near him the 
day before. Poor Mrs. Mant can stand it no 
longer; she is retired to one of her married 
daughters'. 

When William returns to W^inchester IMary 
Jane is to go to Mrs. Nune's for a month, and then 
to Steventon for a fortnight, and it seems likely 
that she and her aunt Martha niay travel into 
Berkshire together. 

We shall not have a month of Martha after your 
return, and that month will be a very interrupted 
and broken one, but we shall enjoy ourselves the 
more when we can get a quiet half-hour together. 

To set against your new novel, of which nobody 
ever heard before, and perhaps never may again, 
we have got "Ida of Athens," by Miss Owenson, 
which must be very clever, because it was written, 
as the authoress says, in three months. We ha^'e 
only read the preface yet, but her Irish girl does 
not make me expect much. If the warmth of her 
language could affect the body, it might be worth 
reading in this weather. 

Adieu! I must leave off to stir the fire and call 
on Miss Murden. 

Evening. — I have done them both, the first 
very often. We found our friend as comfortable 
as she can ever allow herself to be in cold weather. 



142 LETTEES OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

Tliere is a very neat parlor behind the shop for 
her to sit in, not very light indeed, being a la 
Southampton, the middle of three deep, but very 
lively from the frequent sound of the pestle and 
mortar. 

We afterwards called on the Miss Williamses, 
who lodge at Durantoy's. Miss INIary only was at 
home, and she is in very indifferent health. Dr. 
Hachet came in while we were there, and said 
that he never remembered such a severe winter 
as this in Southampton before. It is bad, but we 
do not suffer as we did last year, because the wind 
has been more IST.E. than N.W. 

For a day or two last week my mother was very 
poorly with a return of one of her old complaints, 
but it did not last long, and seems to have left 
nothing bad behind it. She began to talk of a 
serious illness, her two last having been jDreceded 
by the same symptoms, but, tliank heaven! she is 
now quite as well as one can expect her to be in 
weather which deprives her of exercise. 

Miss M. conveys to us a third volume of ser- 
mons, from Hamstall, just published, and which 
we are to like better than the two others; they 
are professedly practical, and for the use of coun- 
try congregations. I have just received some 
verses in an unknown hand, and am desired to 
forward them to my nephew Edward at Godmer- 
sham. 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 143 

Alas ! poor Brag, tliou boastful game ! 
What now avails thine empty name ? 
Where now thy more distinguished fame ? 
My day is o'er, and thine the same, 
For thou, like me, art thrown asiile 
At Godmersham, this Christmastide ; 
And now across the table wide 
Each game save brag or spec, is tried. 
Such is the mild ejaculation 
Of tender-hearted speculation. 

Wednesday. — I expected to have a letter from 
somebody to-day, but I have not. Twice every 
day I tliiiik of a letter from Portsmouth. 

Miss Murden has been sitting with us this 
morning. As yet she seems very well pleased 
with her situation. The worst part of her being 
in Southampton will be the necessity of one walk- 
ing with her now and then, for she talks so loud 
that one is quite ashamed; but our dining hours 
are luckily very different, which we shall take all 
reasonable advantage of. 

The Queen's birthday moves the assembly to 
this night instead of last, and as it is always fully 
attended, Martha and I expect an amusing show. 
We were in hopes of being independent of other 
companions by having the attendance of Mr. 
Austen and Captain Harwood; but as they fail 
us, we are obliged to look out for other help, and 
have fixed on the Wallops as least likely to be 
troublesome. I have called on them this morning 
and found them very willing, and I am sorry that 



144 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

you must wait a whole week for the particulars 
of the evening. I propose being asked to dance 
by our acquaintance Mr. Smith, now Ca]jtain 
Smith, who has lately reappeared in Southampton, 
but I shall decline it. He saw Charles last 
August. 

What an alarming bride Mrs. must have 

been ; such a parade is one of the most immodest 
pieces of modesty that one can imagine. To attract 
notice could have been her only wish. It augurs 
ill for her family; it announces not great sense, 
and therefore insures boundless influence. 

I hope Fanny's visit is now taking jjlace. You 
have said scarcely anything of her lately, but I 
trust you are as good friends as ever. 

Martha sends her love, and hopes to have the 
pleasure of seeing you when you return to South- 
ampton. You are to understand this message as 
being merely for the sake of a message to oblige 

me. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

Henry never sent his love to me in your last, 
but 1 send him mine. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Eaversham, Keut. 



1809.] LETTERS OF J^iNE AUSTEN. 145 



XXXIII. 

Castle Square,. Tuesday (January 24). 

My dear Cassandra, — I will give you the 
indulgence of a letter on Tliur.sday this week, in- 
stead of Friday, but I do not require you to write 
again before Sunday, provided I may believe you 
and your finger going on quite well. Take care 
of your precious self; do not work too hard. 
Eemember that Aunt Cassandras are quite as 
scarce as Miss Beverleys.i 

I had the happiness yesterday of a letter from 
Charles, but I shall say as little about it as possible, 
because I know that excruciating H^nry will have 
had a letter likewise, to make all my intelligence 
valueless. It was written at Bermuda on the Ttli 
and 10th of December. All well, and Fanny 
still only in expectation of being otherwise. 
He had taken a small prize in his late cruise, 
— a French schooner, laden with sugar; but 
bad weather parted them, and she had not yet 
been heard of. His cruise ended December 
1st. My September letter was the latest he had 
received. 

This day three weeks you are to be in London, 
and I wish you better weather; not but that you 
may have worse, for we have now nothing but 

1 "Cecilia" Beverley, the heroine of Miss Burney's novel. 
10 



146 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

ceaseless snow or ruin and insufferable dirt to 
complain of; no tempestuous winds nor severity 
of cold. Since I wrote last we have had some- 
thing of each, hut it is not genteel to rip up old 
grievances. 

You used me scandalously by not mentioning 
Edward Cooper's sermons. I tell you everj^thing, 
and it is unknown the m^'steries you conceal from 
me; and, to add to the rest, you persevere in giv- 
ing a final "e" to "invalid," thereby j^utting it 
out of one's power to suppose Mrs. E. Leigh, even 
for a moment, a veteran soldier. She, good woman, 
is, I hope, destined for some further placid enjoy- 
ment of her own excellence in this world, for her 
recovery advances exceedingly well. 

I had tliis pleasant news in a letter from Book- 
ham last Thursday; but as tlie letter was from 
Mary instead of her mother, you will guess her 
account was not equally good from home. Mrs. 
Cooke had been confined to her bed some days by 
illness, but was then better, and Mary wrote in 
confidence of her continuing to mend. I have de- 
sired to hear again soon. 

You rejoice me by what you say of Fannj'.^ I 
hope she will not turn good-for-nothing this ever 
so long. We thought of and talked of her yester- 
day with sincere affection, and wished her a long 
enjoyment of all the happiness to which she seems 
* Fanny Austeu, afterward Lady Edward Kiiatclibull. 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 147 

bora. While she gives happiness to those about 
]ier she is pretty sure of her own share. 

I am gratified by her having pleasure in what I 
write, but I wish the knowledge of my being ex- 
posed to her discerning criticism may not hurt my 
style, by inducing too great a solicitude. I begin 
already to weigh my words and sentences more 
than I did, and am looking about for a sentiment, 
an illustration, or a metaphor in every corner of 
the room. Could my ideas ilow as fast as the rain 
in the store-closet, it would be charming. 

We have been in two or three dreadful states 
within the last week, from the melting of the 
snow, etc., and the contest between us and the 
closet has now ended in our defeat. I have been 
obliged to move almost everything out of it, and 
leave it to splash itself as it likes. 

You have by no means raised my curiosity after 
Caleb. My disinclination for it before was af- 
fected, but now it is real. I do not like the evan- 
gelicals. Of course I shall be delighted when I 
read it, like other people; but till I do I dislike it. 

I am sorry my verses did not bring any return 
from Edward. I was in hopes they might, but I 
suppose he does not rate them high enough. It 
might be partiality, but they seemed to me purely 
classical, — just like Homer and Virgil, Ovid and 
Propria que Maribus. 

I had a nice brotherly letter from Frank the 



148 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

other day, which, after an interval of nearly three 
weeks, was very welcome. No orders were come 
on Friday, and none were come yesterday, or we 
sliould have heard to-day. I had supposed Miss C. 
would share her cousin's room here, hut a message 
in this letter proves the contrary. I Avill make 
the garret as comfortable as I can, but the possi- 
bilities of that apartment are not great. 

My mother has been talking to Eliza about our 
future home, and she, making no difficulty at all 
of the sweetheart, is perfectly disposed to continue 
with us, but till she has written home for mother's 
approbation cannot quite decide. Mother does not 
like to have her so far off. At Chawton she will 
be nine or ten miles nearer, which I hope will 
have its due influence. 

As for Sally, she means to play John Binns 
with us, in her anxiety to belong to our household 
again. Hitherto she appears a very good servant. 

You dejiend upon finding all your plants dead, 
I hope. They look very ill, I understand. 

Your silence on the subject of our ball makes 
me suppose your curiosity too great for words. We 
were very well entertained, and could have stayed 
longer but for the arrival of my list shoes to con- 
vey me home, and I did not like to keep them 
waiting in the cold. The room was tolerably full, 
and the ball opened by Miss Glyn. The Miss 
Lances had jjartners. Captain Dauvergne's friend 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 149 

appeared in regimentals, Caroline Maitland had an 
officer to flirt with, and Mr. John Harrison was 
deputed by Captain Smith, being himself absent, 
to ask me to dance. Everything went well, 3'ou 
see, especially after we had tucked Mrs. Lance's 
neckerchief in behind and fastened it with a pin. 

We had a very full and agreeable account of Mr. 
Hammond's ball from Anna last night; the same 
fluent pen has sent similar information, I know, 
into Kent. She seems to have been as happy as 
one could wish her, and the complacency of her 
mamma in doing the honors of the evening must 
have made her pleasure almost as great. The 
grandeur of the meeting was beyond my hopes. 
I should like to have seen Anna's looks and per- 
formance, but that sad cropped head must have 
injured the former. 

Martlia pleases herself with believing that if I 
had kept her counsel you would never have heard 
of Dr. M.'s late behavior, as if the very slight 
manner in which I mentioned it could have been 
all on which you found your judgment. I do not 
endeavor to undeceive her, because I wish her 
happy, at all events, and know how highly she 
prizes happiness of any kind. She is, moreover, 
so full of kindness for us both, and sends you in 
particular so many good wishes about your finger, 
that I am willing to overlook a venial fault, and 
as Dr. M. is a clergyman, their attachment, how- 



150 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

ever immoral, has a decorous air. Adieu, sweet 
You. This is grievous uews from Spain. It is 
well that Dr. Moore was spared the knowledge of 
such a son's death. 

Yours affectionately, J. Austen. 

Anna's hand gets better and better; it begins 
to be too good for any consequence. 

We send best lov^e to dear little Lizzy and Mari- 
anne in particular. 

The Portsmouth paper gave a melancholy his- 
tory of a poor mad woman, escaped from confine- 
ment, who said her husband and daughter, of the 
name of Payne, lived at Ashford, in Kent. Do 
you own them? 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Faversham, Keut. 

xxxiy. 

Castle Square, Monday (Jauuar}' 30). 

My dear Cassandra, — I was not much sur- 
prised yesterday- by the agreeable surprise of your 
letter, and extremely glad to receive the assurance 
of your finger being well again. 

Here is such a wet day as never was seen. I 
wish the poor little girls had better weather for 
their journey; they must amuse themselves with 
watching the raindrops down the windows. Sack- 
ree, I suppose, feels quite broken-hearted. I can- 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 151 

not have done with the weather without ohserviiig 
how deliglitfully mikl it is; I am sure Fanny 
must enjoy it with us. Yesterday was a very 
blowing day; we got to church, however, wdiich 
we had not been able to do for two Sunday's 
before. 

I am not at all ashamed about the name of the 
novel, having been guilty of no insult toward 
your handwriting; the diphthong I always saw, 
but knowing how fond you were of adding a vowel 
wherever you could, I attributed it to that alone, 
and the knowledge of the truth does the book no 
service; the only merit it could have was in the 
name of Caleb, which has an honest, unpretending 
sound, but in Goelebs there is pedantry and affec- 
tation. Is it written only to classical scholars? 

I shall now try to say only what is necessar}^, 
I am weary of meandering; so expect a vast deal 
of small matter, concisely told, in the next two 
pages. 

Mrs. Cooke lias been very dangerously ill, but 
is now, I hope, safe. I had a letter last week 
from George, IMary being too busy to write, and 
at that time the disorder was called of the typhus 
kind, and their alarm considerable, but yesterday 
brought me a much better account from Mary, 
the origin of the complaint being now ascertained 
to be bilious, and the strong medicines requisite 
promising to be effectual. Mrs. E. L. is so much 



152 LETTEES OF JANE AUSTEN. [ISO?. 

recovered as to get into tlie dressing-room every 
day. 

A letter from Hamstall gives us the history of 
Sir Tho. Williams's return. The Admiral, who- 
ever he might be, took a fancy to the " iSTeptune, " 
and having only a worn-out 74 to offer in lieu of 
it, Sir Tho. declined such a command, and is come 
home passenger. Luchy man! to have so fair an 
opportunity of escape. I hope his wife allows 
herself to he happy on the occasion, and does not 
give all her thoughts to heing nervous. 

A great event happens this week at Hamstall 
in young Edward's removal to school. He is 
going to Rugby, and is very happy in the idea of 
it; I wish his happiness may last, but it will be 
a great change to become a raw school-boy from 
being a pompous sermon-writer and a domineering 
brother. It will do him good, I dare say. 

Caroline has had a great escape from being 
burnt to death latelj'. As her husband gives the 
account, we must believe it true. Miss Murden 
is gone, — called away by the critical state of Mrs. 
Pottinger, who has had another severe sti'oke, and 
is without sense or speech. Miss Murden wishes 
to return to Southampton if circumstances suit, 
but it must be very doubtful. 

We have been obliged to turn away Cholles, he 
grew so very drunken and negligent, and we have 
a man in his place called Thomas. 



1809.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 153 

Martlia desires me to communicate something 
concerning herself which slie knows will give you 
pleasure, as affording her very particular satisfac- 
tion, — it is that she is to he in town this spring 
with Mrs. Dundas. I need not dilate on the sub- 
ject. You understand enough of the whys and 
wherefores to enter into her feelings, and to be 
conscious that of all possible arrangements it is 
the one most acceptable to her. She goes to Bar- 
ton on leaving us, and the family remove to town 
in April. 

What you tell me of Miss Sharpe is quite new, 
and surprises me a little; I feel, however, as you 
do. She is born, poor thing! to struggle with 
evil, and her continuing with Miss B. is, I hope, 
a proof that matters are not always so very bad be- 
tween them as her letters sometimes represent. 

Jenny's marriage I had heard of, and supposed 
you would do so too from Steventon, as I knew 
you were corresponding with Mary at the time. I 
hope she will not sully the respectable name she 
now bears. 

Your plan for Miss Curling is uncommonly con- 
siderate and friendly, and such as she must surely 
jump at. Edward's going round by Steventon, 
as I understand he promises to do, can be no 
reasonable objection ; Mrs. J. Austen's hospitality 
is just of the kind to enjoy such a visitor. 

We were very glad to know Aunt Fanny was 



154 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1809. 

in the country ■when we read of the fire. Pray 
give my best compliments to the Mrs. Finches, if 
they are at Gm. I am sorry to find that Sir J. 
Moore has a mother living, but though a vevy 
heroic son he might not be a very necessary one to 
her happiness. Deacon Morrell may be more to 
Mrs. Morrell. 

I wish Sir John had united something of the 
Christian witli the hero in his death. Thank 
heaven! we have had no one to care for particu- 
larly among the troops, — no one, in fact, nearer to 
lis than Sir John himself. Col. Maitland is safe 
and well ; his mother and sisters were of course 
anxious about him, but there is no entering much 
into the solicitudes of that family. 

Wy mother is well, and gets out when she can 
with the same enjojanent, and apparently the same 
strength, as hitherto. She hopes you will not 
omit begging Mrs. Seward to get the garden 
cropped for us, supposing she leaves the house too 
early to make the garden any object to herself. 
We are very desirous of receiving your account 
of the house, for your observations will have a 
motive which can leave nothing to conjecture and 
suffer nothing from want of memory. For one's 
own dear self, one ascertains and remembers 
everything. 

Lady Sondes is an impudent woman to come 
back into her old neighborhood again; I suppose 



1811] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN 155 

she pretends never to have married before, and 
wonders how her fatlier and mother came to have 
her christened Lady Sondes. 

Tlie store-closet, I hope, will never do so again, 
for much of the evil is proved to have proceeded 
from the gutter being choked up, and we have had 
it cleared. "We had reason to rejoice in the child's 
absence at the time of the thaw, for the nursery 
was not habitable. We hear of similar disasters 
from almost everybody. 

No news from Portsmouth. We are very pa- 
tient. Mrs. Charles Fowle desires to be kindly 
remembered to you. She is warmly interested in 
my brother and his family. 

Yours ver}'^ affectionately, 

J. Austen. 
Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. 



XXXV. 

Sloane St., Thursday (April 18, 1811). 
My dear Cassandra, — I have so man}' little 
matters to tell you of, that I cannot wait any longer 
before I begin to put them down. I spent Tuesday 
in Bentinck Street. The Cookes called here and 
took me back, and it was quite a Cooke da^^, for 
the Miss Rolles paid a visit while I was there, and 
Sam Arnold dropped in to tea. 



156 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

The badness of the weather disconcerted an ex- 
cellent plan of mine, — that of calling on Miss 
Beckford again; but from the middle of the day it 
rained incessantly. Mary and 1, after disposing 
of her father and mother, went to the Liverpool 
Museum and the British Gallery, and I had some 
amusement at each, though my preference for men 
and women always inclines me to attend more to 
the company than the sight. 

Mrs. Cooke regrets very much that she did not 
see you when you called; it was owing to a blun- 
der among the servants, for she did not know of 
our visit till we were gone. She seems tolerably 
well, but the nervous part of her complaint, I fear, 
increases, and makes her more and more unwilling 
to part with Mary. 

I have proposed to the latter that she should go 
to Chawton with me, on the supposition of my 
travelling the Guildford road, and she, I do believe, 
would be glad to do it, but perhaps it may be im- 
possible; unless a brother can be at home at that 
time, it certainly must. George comes to them 
to-day. 

I did not see Theo. till late on Tuesday ; he was 
gone to Ilford, but he came back in time to show 
his usual nothiiig-meaning, harmless, heartless 
civility. Henry, who had been confined the whole 
day to the bank, took me in his way home, and, 
after putting life and wit into the party for a quar- 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 157 

ter of an hour, put himself and his sister into a 
hackney coach. 

I bless my stars that I have done with Tuesday. 
But, alas! Wednesday was likewise a day of great 
doings, for Manon and I took our walk to Grafton 
House, and I have a good deal to say on that 
subject. 

I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very ex- 
travagant, and spending all my money, and, what 
is worse for you, I have been spending yours too; 
for in a linendraper's shop to which I went for 
checked muslin, and for which I was obliged to 
give seven shillings a yard, I was tempted by a 
pretty-colored muslin, and bought ten yards of it 
on the chance of your liking it; but at the same 
time, if it should not suit you, you must not think 
yourself at all obliged to take it; it is only 3s. Qd. 
per yard, and I should not in the least mind keep- 
ing the whole. In texture it is just what we pre- 
fer, but its resemblance to green crewels, I must 
own, is not great, for the pattern is a small red 
spot. And now I believe I have done all my com- 
missions except Wedgwood. 

I liked my walk very much ; it was shorter than 
I had expected, and the weather was delightful. 
We set off immediatel}^ after breakfast, and must 
have reached Grafton House by half-past eleven ; 
but when we entered the shop the whole counter 
was thronged, and we waited full half an hour be- 



158 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

fore we could be attended to. When we were 
served, however, I was very well satisfied with my 
purchases, — my bugle trimming at 2s. Ad. and 
three pair silk stockings for a little less than 12s. 
a pair. 

In my way back who should I meet but Mr. 
Moore, just come from Beckenham. I believe he 
would have passed me if I had not made him stop, 
but we were delighted to meet. I soon found, 
however, that he had nothing new to tell me, and 
then I let him go. 

Miss Burton has made me a very pretty little 
bonnet, and now nothing can satisfy me but I 
must have a straw hat, of the riding-hat shape, 
like Mrs. Tilson's ; and a young woman in this 
neighborhood is actually making me one. I am 
really very shocking, but it will not be dear at a 
guinea. Our pelisses are 17s. each; bhe charges 
only 8s. for the making, but the buttons seem ex- 
pensive, — are expensive, I might have said, for 
the fact is plain enough. 

We drank tea again yesterday with the Tilsons, 
and met the Smiths. I find all tbese little parties 
very pleasant. I like Mrs. S. ; Miss Beaty is 
good-humor itself, and does not seem much be- 
sides. We spend to-morrow evening with them, 
and are to meet the Coin, and Mrs. Cantelo Smith 
you have been used to hear of, and, if she is in 
good humor, are likely to have excellent singing. 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 159 

To-night I might have been at the play; Henry- 
had kindly planned our going together to the Ly- 
ceum, but I have a cold which I should not like to 
make worse before Saturday, so I stay within all 
this day. 

Eliza is walking out by herself. She has jjlenty 
of business on her hands just now, for the day of 
the party is settled, and drawing near. Above 
eighty people are invited for next Tuesday evening, 
and there is to be some very good music, — five 
professionals, three of them glee singers, besides 
amateur.s. Fanny will listen to this. One of the 
hirelings is a Capital on the harp, from which I 
expect great pleasure. The foundation of the 
party was a dinner to Henry Egerton and Henry 
Walter, but the latter leaves town the day before. 
I am sorry, as I wished her prejudice to be done 
away, but should have been more sorry if there had 
been no invitation. 

I am a wretch, to be so occupied with all these 
things as to seem to have no thoughts to give to 
people and circumstances which really supply a far 
more lasting interest, — the society in which 3'ou 
are; but I do think of you all, I assure you, and 
want to know all about everybody, and especially 
about your visit to the W. Friars; mats le vioyen 
not to be occupied by one's own concerns? 

Saturday. — Frank is superseded in the "Cale- 
donia." Henry brought us this news yesterday 



160 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

from Mr. Daysh, and he heard at the same time 
that Charles xnay be in England in tlie course of a 
month. Sir Edward Pollen succeeds Lord Gambler 
in his command, and some captain of his succeeds 
Frank; and I believe the order is already gone 
out. Henry means to inquire further to-day. He 
wrote to Mary on the occasion. This is something 
to think of. Henry is convinced that he will have 
the offer of something else, but does not think it 
will be at all incumbent on him to accept it; and 
then follows, what will he do? and where will he 
live? 

I hof)e to hear from you to-da3^ How are j'^ou 
as to health, strength, looks, etc.? I had a very 
comfortable account from Chawton yesterday. 

If the weather permits, Eliza and I walk into 
London this morning. She is in want of chimney 
lights for Tuesday, and I of an ounce of darning- 
cotton. She has resolved not to venture to the 
pla}' to-night. The D'Entraigues and Comte Julien 
cannot come to the party, which was at first a 
grief, but she has since supplied herself so well 
with performers that it is of no consequence; their 
not coming has produced our going to them to- 
morrow evening, which I like the idea of. It will 
be amusing to see the ways of a French circle. 

I wrote to Mrs. Hill a few days ago, and have 
received a most kind and satisfactory answer. Any 
time the first w^eek in May exactly suits her, and 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 161 

therefore I consider my going as tolerably fixed. I 
shall leave Sloane Street on the 1st or 2d, and be 
ready for James on the 9th, and, if his plan al- 
ters, I can take care of myself. I have explained 
my views here, and ever3'thing is smooth and 
pleasant; and Eliza talks kindly of convejdng me 
to Streatliam. 

We met the Tilsons yesterday evening, but the 
singing Smiths sent an excuse, which put our Mrs. 
Smith out of humor. 

We are come back, after a good dose of 
walking and coaching, and 1 have the pleasure of 
your letter. 1 wish 1 had James's verses, but they 
were left at Chawton. When I return thither, if 
Mrs. K. will give me leave, 1 will send them to 
her. 

Our first object to-day was Henrietta St., to 
consult with Henry in consequence of a very 
unlucky change of the play for this very night, — 
"Hamlet" instead of ''King John," — and we 
are to go on Monday to -'Macbeth " instead; but 
it is a disappointment to us both. 

Love to all. 

Yours affectionately, 



Jane. 



Miss AusTEx, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Favershalii, Keut. 



11 



162 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 



XXXVI. 

Si-OANE St., Thursday (April 25). 

My dearest Cassandra, — I can return the 
compliment liy thanking you for tlie unexpected 
pleasure of your letter yesterday, and as I like 
unexpected pleasure, it made me very happy; and, 
indeed, you need not apologize for your letter in 
any respect, for it is all very fine, but not too fine, 
I hope, to be written again, or something like it. 

I think Edward Avill not suffer much longer 
from heat; by the look of things this morning I 
susjiect the weather is rising into the balsamic 
north-east. It has been hot Iiere, as you may sup- 
pose, since it was so hot with you, but I have not 
si;ffered from it at all, nor felt it in such a degree 
as to make me imagine it would be anything in 
the country. Everybody has talked of the heat, 
but I set it all down to London. 

I give you joy of our new nephew, and hope if 
he ever comes to be hanged it will not be till we 
are too old to care about it. It is a great comfort 
to have it so safely and speedily over. The Miss 
Curlings must be hard worked in writing so many 
letters, but the novelty of it may recommend it to 
them; mine was from Miss Eliza, and she says 
that my brother may arrive to-day. 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 163 

No, indeed, I am never too busy to think of 
S. and S.^ I can no more forget it than a mother 
can forget her sucking child; and I am much 
obliged to you for your inquiries. I have had 
two sheets to correct, but the last only brings us 
to Willoughby's first appearance. Mrs. K. regrets 
in the most flattering manner that she must wait 
till May, but I have scarcely a hope of its being 
out in June. Henry does not neglect it; he has 
hurried the printer, and. says he will see him again 
to-day. It will not stand still during his absence, 
it will be sent to Eliza. 

The Incomes remain as they were, but I will 
get them altered if I can. I am very much grati- 
fied by Mrs. K.'s interest in it; and whatever may 
be the event of it as to my credit with her, sin- 
cerely wish her ciiriosity could be satisfied sooner 
than is now probable. I think she will like my 
Elinor, but cannot build on anj-thing else. 

Our party went off extremely well. There were 
many solicitudes, alarms, and vexations before- 
hand, of course, but at last everything was quite 
right. The rooms were dressed up with flowers, 
etc., and looked very pretty. A glass for the 
mantelpiece was lent by the man who is making 
their own. Mr. Egerton and Mr. Walter came at 
half-past five, and the festivities began with a pair 
of very fine soles. 

^ " Sense and Sensibility." 



164 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

Yes, Mr. Walter — for he postponed his leaving 
London on purpose — which did not give much 
pleasure at the time, any more than the circum- 
stance from which it rose, — his calling on Sunday 
and being asked by Henry to take the family dinner 
on that day, which he did; but it is all smoothed 
over now, and she likes him very well. 

At half-past seven arrived the musicians in two 
hackney coaches, and by eight the lordly company 
began to appear. Among the earliest were George 
and Mary Cooke, and I spent the greatest part of 
the evening very pleasantly with them. The 
drawing-room being soon hotter than we liked, we 
placed ourselves in the connecting passage, which 
was comparatively cool, and gave us all the advan- 
tage of the music at a jjleasant distance, as well as 
that of the first view of every new-comer. 

I was quite surrounded by acquaintance, espe- 
cially gentlemen; and what with Mr. Hampson, 
Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. Knatchbull, Mr. Guillemarde, 
Mr. Cure, a Captain Simpson, brother to the 
Captain Simj^son, besides Mr. Walter and Mr. 
Egerton, in addition to the Cookes, and Miss 
Beckford, and Miss Middleton, I had quite as 
much u^Jon my hands as I could do. 

Poor Miss B. has been suffering again from her 
old complaint, and looks thinner than ever. She 
certainly goes to Cheltenham tlie beginning of 
June. We were all delight and cordiality, of 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEK 165 

course. Miss M. seems very happy, but has not 
beauty enough to figure in London. 

Including everybody we were sixty-six, — which 
was considerably more than Eliza had expected, 
and quite enough to fill the back drawing-room 
and leave a few to be scattered about in the other 
and in the passage. 

The music was extremely good. It opened (tell 
Fanny) with " Poike de Parp pirs praise pof Pra- 
pela; " and of the other glees I remember, "In 
peace love tunes," '• Rosabelle, " " The Red Cross 
Knight," and "Poor Insect." Between the songs 
were lessons on the harp, or harp and pianoforte 
together; and the harp-player was Wiepart, whose 
name seems famous, though new to me. There 
was one female singer, a short Miss Davis, all in 
blue, bringing up for the public line, whose voice 
was said to be very fine indeed; and all the per- 
formers gave great satisfaction by doing what they 
were paid for, and giving themselves no airs. No 
amateur could be persuaded to do anything. 

The house was not clear till after twelve. If 
you wish to hear more of it, you must put your 
questions, but I seem rather to have exhausted 
than spared the subject. 

This said Captain Simpson told us, on the au- 
thority of some other Captain just arrived from 
Halifax, that Charles was bringing the "Cleo- 
patra" home, and that she was probably by this 



166 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

time 111 the Cliannel; but as Captain S. was 
certainly in liquor, we must not quite depend 
on it. It must give one a sort of expectation, 
however, and will prevent ray writing to him any- 
more. I would rather he should not reach Eng- 
land till I am at home, 'and the Steventon party 
gone. 

My mother and INIartha both write with great 
satisfaction of Anna's behavior. She is quite an 
Anna with variations, but she cannot have reached 
lier last, for that is always the most flourishing and 
showy; she is at about her third or fourth, which 
are generally simple and pretty. 

Your lilacs are in leaf, ours are in bloom. The 
horse-chestnuts are quite out, and the elms almost. 
I had a pleasant walk in Kensington Gardens on 
Sunday with Henr}-, Mr. vSmith, and Mr. Tilson; 
everything was fresh and beautiful. 

We did go to the play, after all, on Saturday. 
We went to the Lyceum, and saw the " Hypocrite," 
an old play taken from Molifere's "Tartuffe," and 
were well entertained. Dovvton and Mathews were 
the good actors; Mrs. Edwin was the heroine, and 
her performance is just what it used to be. I have 
no chance of seeing Mrs. Siddons; she did act on 
Monday, but as Henry was told by the box-keeper 
that he did not not think she would, the plans, 
and all thought of it, were given up. I should 
particularly have liked seeing her in '' Constance," 



1811.] LETTERS OF JAXE AUSTEN. 167 

and could swear at lier with little effort for dis- 
appointing me. 

Henry has been to the Water-Color Exhibition, 
which opened on Monday, and is to meet us there 
again some morning. If Eliza cannot go (and she 
has a cold at present), Miss Beaty will be invited 
to be my companion. Henry leaves town on Sun- 
day afternoon, but he means to write soon himself 
to Edward, and will tell his own plans. 

The tea is this moment setting out. 

Do not have your colored muslin unless you 
really want it, because I am afraid I could not send 
it to the coach without giving trouble here. 

Eliza caught her cold on Sunday in our way to 
the D'Eutraigues. The horses actually gibbed on 
this side of Hyde Park Gate : a load of fresh gravel 
made it a formidable hill to them, and they refused 
the collar; I believe there was a sore shoulder to 
irritate. Eliza was frightened, and we got out, and 
were detained in the evening air several minutes. 
The cold is in her chest, but she takes care of her- 
self, and I hope it may not last long. 

This engagement prevented Mr. Walter's stay- 
ing late, — he had his coffee and went away. Eliza 
enjoyed her evening very much, and means to cul- 
tivate the acquaintance; and I see nothing to dis- 
like in them but their taking quantities of snuff. 
Monsieur, the old Count, is a very fine-looking 
man, with quiet manners, good enough for an Eng- 



168 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

lishman, and, I believe, is a man of great informa- 
tion and taste. He has some fine paintings, which 
delighted Henry as much as the son's music grati- 
fied Eliza; and among them a miniature of Philip 
V. of Spain, Louis XIV. 's grandson, which exactly 
suited my capacity. Count Julian's performance 
is very wonderful. 

We met only Mrs. Latouche and Miss East, and 
we are just now engaged to spend next Sunday 
evening at Mrs. L.'s, and to meet the D'Entraigues, 
but M. le Comte must do without Henry. If he 
would but speak English, I would take to him. 

Have you ever mentioned the leaving off tea to 
Mrs. K. ? Eliza has just spoken of it again. The 
benefit she has found from it in sleejjing has been 
very great. 

I shall write soon to Catherine to fix my day, 
which will be Thursday. We have no engagement 
but for Sunda3^ Eliza's cold makes quiet advis- 
able. Her purty is mentioned in this morning's 
paper. I am sorry to hear of poor Eanny's state. 
From that quarter, I suppose, is to be the alloy of 
her happiness. I will have no more to say. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. A. 

Give my love particularly to my goddaughter. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Faversham. 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 169 

XXXVIL 

Sloane St., Tuesday. 

My dear Cassandra, — I had sent off my 
letter yesterday before yours came, which I was 
sorry for; but as Eliza has been so good as to get 
me a frank, your qviestions shall be answered with- 
out much further expense to you. 

The best direction to Henry at Oxford will be 
''The Blue Boar, Cornmarket." 

I do not mean to provide another trimming for 
my pelisse, for I am determined to spend no more 
money; so I shall wear it as it is, longer than I 
ought, and then — I do not know. 

My head-dress was a bugle-band like the border 
to my gown, and a flower of Mrs. Tilson's. I de- 
pended upon hearing something of the evening 
from Mr. W. K., and am very well satisfied with 
his notice of me — "A pleasing-looking young 
woman" — that must do; one cannot pretend to 
anything better now; thankful to have it con- 
tinued a few 3'ears longer! 

It gives me sincere pleasure to hear of Mrs. 
Knight's having had a tolerable night at last, but 
upon this occasion I wish she had another name, 
for the two nights jingle very much. 

We have tried to get '' Self-control," but in vain. 
I should like to know what her estimate is, but am 
always half afraid of finding a clever novel too 



170 LETTERS OP JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

clever, and of finding my own story and my own 
people all forestalled. 

Eliza has just received a few lines from Henry 
to assure her of the good conduct of his mare. 
He slept at Uxbridge on Sunday, and wrote from 
Wheatfield. 

We were not claimed by Hans Place yesterday, 
but are to dine there to-day. Mr. Tilson called 
in the evening, but otherwise we were quite alone 
all day; and after having been out a good deal, 
the change was very pleasant. 

I like your opinion of Miss Atten much better 
than I expected, and have now hopes of her stay- 
ing a whole twelvemonth. By this time I suppose 
she is hard at it, governing away. Poor creature! 
I pity her, though they are my nieces. 

Oh! yes, I remember Miss Emma Plumbtree's 

local consequence perfectly. 

I am in a dilemma, for want of an Emma, 
Escaped from tlie lips of Henry Gipps. 

But, really, I was never much more put to it 
than in continuing an answer to Fanny's former 
message. What is there to be said on the subject? 
Pery pell, or pare pey? or po; or at the most. Pi, 
pope, pey, pike, pit. 

I congratulate Edward on the Weald of Kent 
Canal Bill being put off till another Session, as 
I have just had the pleasure of reading. There 
is always something to be hoped from delay. 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 171 

Between Session and Session 
The first Prepossession 
May rouse up tJie Nation, 
And the villanous Bill 
May be forced to lie still 
Against wicked men's will. 

There is poetry for Edward and his daughter. I 
am afraid I sliall not have any for you. 

1 forgot to tell you in my last that our cousin 
Miss Payne called in on Saturday, and was per- 
suaded to stay dinner. She told us a great deal 
about her friend Lady Cath. Brecknell, who is 
most happily married, and Mr. Brecknell is very 
religious, and has got black whiskers. 

I am glad to think that Edward has a tolerable 
day for his drive to Goodnestone, and very glad to 
hear of his kind promise of bringing you to town. 
I hope everything will arrange itself favorably. 
The 16th is now to be Mrs. Dundas's day. 

I mean, if I can, to wait for 3^our return before 
I have my new gown made up, from a notion of 
their making up to more advantage together; and 
as I find the muslin is not so wide as it used to be, 
some contrivance may be necessary. I expect the 
skirt to require one-half breadth cut in gores, be- 
sides two whole breadths. 

Eliza has not yet quite resolved on inviting 

Anna, but I think she will. 

Yours very affectionately, 

Jane. 



172 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

XXXVIII. 

CiiAWTON, Wednesday (May 29). 

It was a mistake of mine, my dear Cassandra, 
to talk of a tenth child at Hamstall. I had forgot 
there were but eight already. 

Your inquiry after my uncle and aunt were most 
happily timed, for the very same post brought an 
account of them. They are again at Gloucester 
House enjoying fresh air, which they seem to have 
felt the want of in Bath, and are tolerably well, 
but not more than tolerable. My aunt does not 
enter into particulars, but she does not write in 
spirits, and Ave imagine that she has never entirely 
got the better of her disorder in the winter. Mrs. 
Welby takes her out airing in her barouche, which 
gives her a headache, — a comfortable proof, I sup- 
pose, of the uselessness of the new carriage when 
they have got it. 

You certainly must have heard before I can tell 
you that Col. Orde has married our cousin Margt. 
Beckford, the Marchess, of Douglas's sister. The 
papers say that her father disinherits her, but I 
think too well of an Orde to sujipose that she has 
not a handsome independence of her own. 

The chickens are all alive and fit for the table, 
but we save them for something grand. Some of 
the flower seeds are coming up very well, but your 
mignonette makes a wretched appearance. Miss 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 173 

Beiin lias been equally unlucky as to hers. She 
had seed fi'om four different people, and none of it 
comes up. Our young piony at the foot of the fir- 
tree has just blown and looks very handsome, and 
the whole of the shrubbery border will soon be 
very gay with, pinks and sweet-williams, in addi- 
tion to the columbines already in bloom. The 
syringas, too, are coming out. We are likely to 
have a great crop of Orleans plums, but not many 
greengages — on the standard scarcely any, three 
or four dozen, perhaps, against the wall. I believe 
I told you differently when I first came home, but 
I can now judge better than I could then. 

I have had a medley and satisfactory letter this 
morning from the husband and wife at Cowes; 
and in consequence of what is related of their 
plans, we have been talking over the possibility of 
inviting them here in their way from Steventon, 
which is what one should wish to do, and is, I 
dare say, what they expect, but, supposing Martha 
to be at home, it does not seem a very easy thing 
to accommodate so large a party. My mother offers 
to give up her room to Frank and Mary, but there 
will then be only the best for two maids and three 
children. 

They go to Steventon about the 22d, and I 
guess — for it is quite a guess — will sta}" there 
from a fortnight to three w^eeks. 

I must not venture to press Miss Sharpe's com- 



174 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

ing at present; we may hardly be at liberty before 
August. 

Poor John Bridges! we are very sorry for his 
situation and for the distress of the family. Lady 
B., is in one way severely tried. And our own 
dear brother suffers a great deal, I dare say, on the 
occasion. 

I have not much to say of ourselves. Anna is 
nursing a cold caught in the arbor at Faringdon, 
that she may be able to keep her engagement to 
Maria M. this evening, when I suppose she will 
make it worse. 

She did not return from Faringdon till Sunday, 
when H. B. walked home with her, and drank tea 
here. She was with the Prowtings almost all Mon- 
day. She went to learn to make feather trimmings 
of Miss Anna, and they kept her to dinner, which 
was rather lucky, as we were called upon to meet 
Mrs. and Miss Terry the same evening at the Dig- 
weeds; and though Anna was of course invited 
too, I think it always safest to keep her away from 
the family, lest she should be doing too little or 
too much. 

Mrs. Terry, Mary, and Robert, with my aunt 
Harding and her daughter, came from Dummer for 
a day and a night, — all very agreeable and ver}^ 
much delighted with the new house and with 
Chawton in general. 

We sat upstairs, and had thunder and lightning 



1811.] LETTERS OF JAXE AUSTEX. 175 

as usual. I never knew such a spring for thunder- 
storms as it has been. Thank God! we have had 
no bad ones here. I thought m^'self in luck to have 
n\y uncomfortable feelings shared by the mistress 
of the house, as that procured blinds and candles. 
It had been excessively hot the whole day. Mrs. 
Harding is a good-looking woman, but not much 
like Mrs. Toke, inasmuch as she is very brown and 
has scarcely any teeth; she seems to have some 
of Mrs. Toke's civility. Miss H. is an elegant, 
pleasing, pretty-looking girl, about nineteen, I 
suppose, or nineteen and a half, or nineteen and a 
quarter, with flowers in her head and music at her 
finger-ends. She plays very well indeed. I have 
seldom heard anybod}^ with more pleasure. They 
Avere at Godington four or five years ago. My 
cousin Flora Long was there last year. 

My name is Diana. How does Fanny like it? 
"What a change in the weather! We have a fire 
again now. 

Harriet Benn sleeps at the Great House to-night, 
and spends to-morrow with us; and the plan is 
tluit we should all walk with her to drink tea at 
Faringdon, for her mother is now recovered; but 
the state of the weather is not very promising at 
present. 

Miss Benn has been returned to her cottage 
since the beginning of last week, and has now just 
got another girl; she comes from Alton. For many 



176 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

days Miss B. had nobody with her hut her niece 
Elizabeth, who was delighted to be her visitor and 
her maid. They both dined here on Saturday 
while Anna was at Faringdon; and last night an 
accidental meeting and a sudden impulse jiroduced 
Miss Benn and Maria Middleton at our tea-table. 

If you have not heard it is very fit you should, 
that Mr. Harrison has had the living of Fareham 
given him by the Bishop, and is going to reside 
there ; and now it is said that Mr. Peach (beautiful 
wiseacre) wants to have the curacy of Overton, and 
if he does leave Wootton, James Digweed wishes 
to go there. Fare you well. 

Yours affectionately', Jane Austen. 

The chimneys at the Great House are done. 
Mr. Prowting has opened a gravel-pit, very con- 
veniently for my mother, just at the mouth of the 
approach to his house; but it looks a little as 
if he meant to catch all his company. Tolerable 
gravel. 

Miss Austen, 

Godniersliam Park, Faversliam, Kent. 

XXXIX. 

Chawton, Thursday (June 6). 

By this time, my dearest Cassandra, you know 
Martha's plans. I was rather disappointed, I 
confess, to find that she could not leave town till 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 177 

after ye 24t]i, as I bad hoped to see you here the 
week before. The delay, however, is not great, 
and everything seems generally arranging itself for 
your return very comfortably. 

I found Henry perfectly predisposed to bring 
you to London if agreeable to yourself; he has 
not fixed his day for going into Kent, but he must 
be back again before ye 20th. You may therefore 
think with something like certainty of the close 
of your Godmersham visit, and will have, I suppose, 
about a week for Sloane Street. He travels in his 
gig, and should the weather be tolerable I think 
you must have a delightful journey. 

I have given up all idea of Miss Sharpe's travel- 
ling with you and Martha, for though you are both 
all compliance with my scheme, yet as you knock 
off a week from the end of her visit, and Martha 
rather more from the beginning, the thing is out 
of the question. 

I have written to her to say that after the middle 
of Jul}^ we shall be happy to receive her, and I 
have added a welcome if she could make her way 
hither directly, but I do not expect that she will. 
I have also sent our invitation to Cowes. 

We are very sorry for the disappointment you 

have all had in Lady B. 's illness ; but a division of 

the proposed party is with you by this time, and 

I hope may have brought you a better account of 

the rest. 

12 



178 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEK [1811. 

Give my love and tlianks to Harriot, who lias 
written me charming things of your looks, and 
diverted me very much by poor Mrs. C. Milles's 
continued per})lexity. 

I had a few lines from Henry on Tuesda}^ 1o 
prepare us for himself and his friend, and b}^ the 
time that I had made the sumptuous j)rovision of 
a neck of mutton on the occasion, they drove into 
the court; but lest you should not immediately 
recollect in how many hours a neck of mutton 
may be certainly procured, I add that they came 
a little after twelve, — both tall and well, and in 
their different degrees agreeable. 

It was a visit of only twenty-four hours, but 
very pleasant while it lasted. Mr. Tilson took a 
sketch of the Great House before dinner, and af- 
ter dinner we all three walked to Chawton Park,^ 
meaning to go into it, but it was too dirt}^, and we 
Avere obliged to keep on the outside. Mr. Tilson 
admired the trees very much, but grieved that they 
should not be turned into money. 

My mother's cold is better, and I believe she 
.only wants dry weather to be very well. It was a 
great distress to her that Anna should be absent 
during her uncle's visit, a distress which I could 
not share. tShe does not retnrn from Faringdon 
till this evening, and I doubt not has had plenty 

1 A large beech wood extending for a long distance upon 
a liill about a mile from Cliawtou : the trees are magnificent. 



1811.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 179 

of the miscellaneous, uiisettled sort of happiness 
which seems to suit her best. We hear from Miss 
Benn, who was on the Common with the Prowt- 
ings, that she was very much admired by the gen- 
tlemen in general. 

I like 3-our new bonnets exceedingly; yours is a 
shape which always looks well, and I think Fanny's 
particularly becoming to her. 

On Monday I had the pleasure of receiving, un- 
packing, and approving our Wedgwood ware. It 
all came very safely, and upon the whole is a good 
match, though I think they might have allowed 
us rather larger leaves, especially in such a year 
of fine foliage as this. One is apt to suppose that 
the woods about Birmingham must be blighted. 
There was no bill with the goods, but that shall 
not screen them from being paid. I mean to ask 
Martha to settle the account. It will be quite in 
her way, for she is just now sending my mother a 
breakfast-set from the same place. 

I hope it will come by the wagon to-morrow; it 
is certainly what we want, and I long to know 
what it is like, and as I am sure Martha has great 
pleasure in making the present, I will not have 
any regret. We have considerable dealings with 
the wagons at present : a hamper of port and brandy 
from Southampton is now in the kitchen. 

Your answer about the Miss Plumbtrees proves 
you as fine a Daniel as ever Portia was; for I 
maintained Emma to be the eldest. 



180 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1811. 

We began pease on Sunday, but our gatherings 
are very small, not at all like the gathering in the 
" Lady of the Lake." Yesterday I had the agree- 
able surprise of finding several scarlet strawberries 
quite ripe; had you been at home, this would have 
been a pleasure lost. There are more gooseberries 
and fewer currants than I thought at first. We 
must buy currants for our wine. 

The Digweeds are gone down to see the Ste- 
phen Terrys at Southampton, and catch the King's 
birthday at Portsmouth. Miss Papillon called on 
VIS yesterday, looking handsomer than ever. Maria 
Middleton and Miss Benn dine here to-morrow. 

We are not to enclose any more letters to 
Abingdon Street, as perhaps Martha has told 
you. 

I had just left off writing and put on my things 
for walking to Alton, when Anna and her friend 
Harriot called in their way thither; so we went 
together. Their business was to provide mourning 
against the King's death, and ray mother has had 
a bombazine bought for her. I am not sorry to be 
back again, for the 3'oung ladies had a great deal 
to do, and without much method in doing it. 

Anna does not come home till to-morrow morn- 
ing. She has written I find to Fanny, but there 
does not seem to be a great deal to relate of Tues- 
day. I had hoped there might be dancing. 

Mrs. Budd died on Sunday evening. I saw 



1813] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN: 181 

her two days before her death, and thought it must 

happen soon. She suffered much from weakness 

and restlessness almost to the last. Poor little 

Harriot seems truly grieved. You have never 

mentioned Harry; how is he? 

With love to you all, 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

Miss Austen, Edward Austen's, Esq., 
Godmersham Park, Faversham. 

XL. 

Chawton, Friday (January 29, 1813). " 
I HOPE you received my little parcel by J. Bond 
on Wednesday evening, my dear Cassandra, and 
that you will be ready to hear from me again on 
Sunday, for I feel that I must write to you to-day. 
I want to tell you that I have got my own darling 
child ^ from London. On Wednesday I received 
one copy sent down by Falkener, with three lines 
from Henry to say that he had given another 
to Charles and sent a third by the coach to 
Godmersham. . . . The advertisement is in our 
paper to-day for the first time : IS.s. He shall ask 
11. Is. for my two next, and 11. 8s. for my 
stupidest of all. Miss B. dined with us on the 
very day of the book's coming, and in the evening 
we fairly set at it, and read half the first vol. to 
her, prefacing that, having intelligence from 
1 " Pride and Prejudice." 



182 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

Henry that such a work would soon appear, we 
had desired him to send it whenever it came out, 
and I believe it passed Avith her unsuspected. 
She was amused, poor soul! That she could not 
help, you know, with two such people to lead the 
way; but she really does seem to admire Elizabeth. 
I must confess that I think her as delightful a 
creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall 
be able to tolerate those who do not like her at 
least, I do not know. There are a few typical 
errors; and a "said he," or a "said she," would 
sometimes make the dialogue more immediately 
clear; but "I do not write for such dull elves" 
as have not a great deal of ingenuity themselves. 
The second volume is shorter than I could wish, 
but the difference is not so much in reality as in 
look, there being a larger proportion of narrative 
in that part. I have lop't and crop't so success- 
fully, however, that I imagine it must be rather 
shorter than " Sense and Sensibility " altogether. 
Now I will try and write of something else. 

XLI. 

Chawton, Thursdaj' (February 4). 

My dear Cassandra, — Your letter was truly 

welcome, and I am much obliged to you for all 

your praise; it came at a right time, for I had had 

some fits of disgust. Our second evening's read- 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 183 

ing to Miss B. had not pleased me so well, but 
I believe something must be attributed to my 
mother's too rapid way of getting on : though she 
perfectly understands the characters herself, she 
cannot speak as they ought. Upon the whole, 
however, I am quite vain enough and well satisfied 
enough. The work is rather too light and bright 
and sparkling: it wants shade; it wants to be 
stretched out here and there with a long chapter of 
sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious 
nonsense, about something unconnected with the 
story, — an essay on writing, a critique on Walter 
Scott, or the history of Buonaparte, or something 
that would form a contrast, and bring the reader 
with increased delight to the playfulness and 
epigrammatism of the general style. . . . The 
greatest blunder in the printing that I have met 
with is in page 220, v. 3, where two speeches are 
made into one. There might as well be no suppers 
at Longbourn; but I suppose it was the remains of 
Mrs. Bennet's old Meryton habits. 

XLII. 

February. 
This will be a quick return for yours, my dear 
Cassandra. I doubt its having much else to recom- 
mend it; but there is no saying: it may turn out 
to be a very long and delightful letter. I am exceed- 
ingly pleased that you can say what you do, after 



184 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEK [1813. 

having gone through the whole work, aud Fanny's 
praise is very gratifying. My hopes were tolerably 
strong of her, but nothing like a certainty. Her 
liking Darcy and Elizabeth is enough. She might 
hate all the others, if she would. I have her 
opinion under Iior own hand this morning; but 
your transcript of it, which I read first, was not, 
and is not, the less acceptable. To me it is of 
course all praise, but the more exact truth which 
she sends you is good enough. . . . Our party 
on Wednesday was not unagreeable, though we 
wanted a master of the house less anxious and 

fidget}^, and more conversable. Upon Mrs. 's 

mentioning that she had sent the rejected ad- 
dresses to Mrs. H., I began talking to her a little 
about them, and expressed my hope of their having 
amused her. Her answer was, "Oh dear, yes, 
very much, very droll indeed, the opening of the 
house, and the striking up of the fiddles! " What 
she meant, poor w'oman, who shall say? I sought 
no farther. As soon as a whist-party was formed, 
and a round table threatened, I made my mother 
an excuse aud came away, leaving just as many 
for their round table as there were at Mrs. 
Grant's.^ I wish they might be as agreeable a 
set. My mother is very well, and finds great 
amusement in glove-knitting, and at present wants 

1 At this time, February, 1813, " ^Mansfield Park " was 
nearly finished. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 185 

no other work. We quite run over with books. 
She has got Sir John Carr's "Travels in Spain," 
and I am reading a Society octavo, an "Essay on 
the Military Police and Institutions of the British 
Empire," by Capt. Pasley of the Engineers, — a 
book which I protested against at first, but wliich 
upon trial I find delightfully written and highly 
entertaining. I am as much in love with the 
author as I ever was with Clarkson or Buchanan, 
or even the two Mr. Smiths of the city. The first 
soldier I ever sighed for; but he does write with 
extraordinary force and spirit. Yesterday, more- 
over, brought us "Mrs. Grant's Letters," with 
Mr. White's compliments; but I have disposed of 
them, compliments and all, to Miss P., and 
amongst so many readers or retainers of books as 
Ave have in Chawton, I dare say there will be no 
difficulty in getting rid of them for another fort- 
night, if necessary. I have disposed of Mrs. 

Grant for the second fortnight to Mrs. . It 

can make no difference to her which of the twenty- 
six fortnights in the year the three vols, lie on her 
table. I have been applied to for information as 
to the oath taken in former times of Bell, Book, 
and Candle, but have none to give. Perhaps you 
may be able to learn something of its origin where 
you now are. Ladies who read those enormous 
great stupid thick quarto volumes which one al- 
ways sees in the breakfast-parlor there must be 



186 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

acquainted with everything in the world. I de- 
test a quarto. Captain Pasley's book is too good 
for their society. They will not understand a man 
who condenses his thoughts into an octavo. I have 
learned from Sir J. Carr that there is no Govern- 
ment House at Gibraltar. I must alter it to the 
Commissioner's. 

XLIII. 

Sloane Street, Thursday, May 20. 
My dear Cassandra, — Before I say any- 
thing else, I claim a paper full of halfpence on 
the drawing-room mantelpiece; I put them there 
myself, and forgot to bring them with me. I 
cannot say that I have yet been in any distress 
for money, but I choose to have my due, as well 
as the Devil. How lucky we were in our weather 
yesterday! This wet morning makes one more 
sensible of it. We had no rain of any conse- 
quence. The head of the curricle was put half up 
three or four times, but our share of the showers 
was very trifling, though they seemed to be heavy 
all round us, when we M^ere on the Hog's-back, 
and I fancied it might then be raining so hard 
at Chawton as to make you feel for us much more 
than we deserved. Three hours and a quarter 
took us to Guildford, where we stayed barely two 
hours, and had only just time enough for all we 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 187 

had to do there ; that is, eating a long and com- 
fortable breakfast, watching the carriages, paying 
Mr. Harrington, and taking a little stroll after- 
wards. From some views which that stroll gave 
us, I think most highly of the situation of Guild- 
ford. We wanted all our brothers and sisters to 
be standing with us in the bowling-green, and 
looking towards Horsham. I was very lucky in 
my gloves, — got them at the first shop I went 
to, though I went into it rather because it was 
near than because it looked at all like a glove- 
shop, and gave only four shillings for them ; after 
wdiich everybody at Cliawton will be hoping and 
predicting that they cannot be good for anything, 
and their worth certainly remains to be proved; but 
I think they look very well. We left Guildford at 
twenty minutes before twelve (I liope somebody 
cares for these minutife), and were at Esher 
in about two hours more. I was very much 
pleased wdth the country in general. Between 
Guildford and Ripley I thought it particularly 
pretty, also about Painshill; and from a Mr. 
Spicer's grounds at Esher, which we walked into 
before dinner, the views were beautiful. I cannot 
say what Ave did not see, but I should think there 
could not be a wood, or a meadow, or palace, or 
remarkable spot in England that was not spread 
out before us on one side or other. Claremont 
is going to be sold: a Mr. Ellis has it now. It 



188 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

is a house that seems never to have prospered. 
After dinner we walked forward to be overtaken 
at tlie coachman's time, and before he did over- 
take us we were very near Kingston. I fancy 
it was about half-past six when we reached this 
house, — a twelve hours' business, and the horses 
did not appear more than reasonably tired. I 
was very tired too, and glad to get to bed early, 
but am quite well to-day. I am very snug in 
the front drawing-room all to myself, and would 
not say ''thank you" for any company but you. 
The quietness of it does me good. I have con- 
trived to pay my two visits, though the weather 
made me a great wliile about it, and left me only 
a few minutes to sit with Charlotte Craven.-^ She 
looks very well, and her hair is done up with an 
elegance to do credit to any education. Her man- 
ners are as unaffected and pleasing as ever. She 
had heard from her mother to-day. Mrs. Craven 
spends another fortnight at Cliilton. I saw no- 
body but Charlotte, which pleased me best. I 
was shown upstairs into a drawing-room, where 
she came to me; and the appearance of the room, 
so totally unschoollike, amused me very much: it 
was full of modern elegances. 

Yours very affec"^, 

J. A. 

1 The present Lady Pollen, of Redeuliam, uear Andover, 
then at a school in Loudon. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 189 



XLIV. 

Sloane Street, Monday (May 24). 

My dearest Cassandra, — I am very much 
obliged to you for writing to me. You must have 
hated it after a worrying morning. Your letter 
came just in time to save my going to Remnant's, 
and fit me for Christian's, where I bought Fanny's 
dimity. 

I went the day before (Friday) to Layton's as 
I proposed, and got my mother's gown, — seven 
yards at 6s. 6d. I then walked into No,, 10, which 
is all dirt and confusion, but in a very promising 
way; and after being present at the opening of 
a new account, to my great amusement, Henry 
and I went to the exhibition in Spring Gardens. 
It is not thought a good collection, but I was 
very well pleased, particularly (pray tell Fanny) 
with a small portrait of Mrs. Bingley,^ excessively 
like her. 

I went in hopes of seeing one of her sister, but 
there was no Mrs. Darcy.i Perhaps, however, I 
may find her in the great exhibition, which we 
shall go to if we have time. I have no chance of her 
in the collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds's paint- 
ings, which is now showing in Pall Mall, and 
which we are also to visit. 

1 Vide " Pride and Prejudice." 



190 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

Mrs. Bingley's is exactly herself, — size, shaped 
face, features, and sweetness; there never was a 
gi'eater likeness. She is dressed in a wliite gown, 
with green ornaments, which convinces me of 
what I had always supposed, that green was a 
favorite color with her. I dare say Mrs. D. will 
be in yellow. 

Friday was our worst day as to weather. We 
were out in a very long and very heavy storm of 
hail, and there had been others before, but I 
heai'd no thunder. Saturday was a good deal 
better; dry and cold. 

I gave 2s. 6d. for the dimity. ' I do not boast 
of any bargains, but think both the sarsenet and 
dimity good of their sort. 

I have bought your locket, but was obliged to 
give 18s. for it, which must be rather more than 
jT^ou intended. It is neat and plain, set in gold. 

We were to have gone to the Somerset House 
Exhibition on Saturday, but when I reached Hen- 
rietta Street Mr, Hampson -was wanted there, and 
Mr. Tilson and I were obliged to drive about 
town after him, and by the time we had done it 
was too late for anything but home. We never 
found him after all. 

I have been interrupted by Mrs. Tilson. Poor 
woman! She is in danger of not being able to 
attend Lady Drummond Smith's party to-night. 
Miss Burdett was to have taken her, and now 



181.3] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 191 

Miss Burdett has a cough and will not go. My 
cousin Caroline is her sole dependence. 

The events of yesterday were, our going to Bel- 
grave Chapel in the morning, our being prevented 
by the rain from going to evening service at St. 
James, Mr. Hampson's calling, Messrs. Barlow 
and Phillips dining here, and Mr. and Mrs. Til- 
son's coming in the evening a V ordinaire. She 
drank tea with us both Thursday and Saturday ; 
he dined out each day, and on Friday we were with 
them, and they wish us to go to tliem to-morrow 
evening, to meet Miss Burdett, but I do not know 
how it will end. Henry talks of a drive to Hamp- 
stead, which may interfere with it. 

I should like to see Miss Burdett very well, 
but that I am rather frightened by hearing that 
she wishes to be introduced to me. If I am a 
wild beast, I cannot help it. It is not my own 
fault. 

There is no change in our plan of leaving Lon- 
don, but we shall not be with you before Tuesday. 
Henry thinks Monday would appear too early a 
day. There is no danger of our being induced to 
stay longer. 

I have not quite determined how I shall manage 
about my clothes; perhaps there may be only my 
trunk to send by the coach, or there may be a 
band-box with it. I have taken your gentle hint, 
and written to Mrs. Hill. 



192 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

The Hoblyns want us to dine with them, but we 
have refused. When Henry returns he will be 
dining out a great deal, I dare say ; as he will then 
be alone, it will be more desirable; he will be 
more welcome at every table, and every invitation 
more welcome to him. He will not want either of 
us again till he is settled in Henrietta Street. 
This is my present persuasion. And he will not 
be settled there — really settled — till late in the 
autumn; "he will not be come to bide " till after 
September. 

There is a gentleman in treaty for this house. 
Gentleman himself is in the country, but gentle- 
man's friend came to see it the other day, and 
seemed pleased on the whole. Gentleman Avould 
rather prefer an increased rent to parting with five 
hundred guineas at once, and if that is the only 
difficulty it will not be minded. Henry is indif- 
ferent as to the which. 

Get us the best weather you can for Wednesday, 
Thursday, and Friday. We are to go to Wind- 
sor in our way to Henley, which will be a great 
delight. We shall be leaving Sluane Street 
about twelve, two or three hours after Charles's 
party have begun their journey. You will 
miss them, but the comfort of getting back into 
your own room will be great. And then the tea 
and sugar! 

I fear Miss Clewes is not better, or you would 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 193 

have mentioned it. I sliall not write again unless 
I have any unexpected communication or oppor- 
tunity to tempt me. I enclose Mr. Herington's 
bill and receipt. 

I am very much obliged to Fanny for her letter; 
it made me laugh heartily, but I cannot pretend 
to answer it. Even had I more time, I should 
not feel at all sure of the sort of letter that Miss 
D.^ would write. I hope Miss Benn is got well 
again, and will have a comfortable dinner with you 
to-day. 

Monday Evening. — We have been both to the 
exhibition and Sir J. Reynolds's, and I am disap- 
pointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at 
either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes 
any picture of her too much to like it should be 
exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he 
would have that sort of feeling, — that mixture of 
love, pride, and delicacy. 

Setting aside this disappointment, I had great 
amusement among the pictures; and the driving 
about, the carriage being open, was very pleasant. 
I liked my solitary elegance very much, and was 
ready to laugh all the time at my being where I 
was. I could not but feel that I had naturally 
small right to be parading about London in a 
barouche. 

Henry desires Edward may know that he has 
1 Miss Darcy. 
13 



194 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

just Louglit three dozen of claret for liim (cheap), 
and ordered it to be sent down to Chawton. 

I should not Avonder if we got no farther than 
Reading on Thursda}^ evening, and so reach Ste- 
venton only to a reasonable dinner-hour the next 
day; but whatever I may write or you may ima- 
gine, we know it will be something different. I 
shall be quiet to-morrow morning; all my busi- 
ness is done, and I shall only call again upon 
Mrs. Hoblyn, etc. 

Love to your much . . . party. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. Austen. 



XLV. 

Henrietta St., Wefliiesday (Sept 15, ^ past 8), 
Here I am, my dearest Cassandra, seated in the 
breakfast, dining, sitting room, beginning with all 
my might. Fanny will join me as soon as she is 
dressed, and begin her letter. 

We had a very good journey, weather and roads 
excellent; the three first stages for Is. Gd., and 
our only misadventure the being delayed about a 
quarter of an hour at Kingston for horses, and 
being obliged to put up with a pair belonging to a 
hackney coach and their coachman, which left no 
room on the barouche box for Lizzy, who was to 
have gone her last stage there as she did the first; 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 195 

consequently we were all four within, which was a 
little crowded. 

We arrived at a quarter-past four, and were 
kindly welcomed by the coachman, and then by 
his master, and then by William, and then by Mrs. 
Pengird, who all met us before we reached the foot 
of the stairs. Mde. Bigiou was below dressing us 
a most comfortable dinner of soup, fish, bouillee, 
partridges, and an apple tart, which we sat down 
to soon after five, after cleaning and dressing our- 
selves, and feeling that we were most commodiously 
disposed of. The little adjoining dressing-room to 
our apartment makes Fanny and myself very well 
off indeed, and as we have poor Eliza's ^ bed our 
space is ample every way. 

Sace arrived safely about half-past six. At 
seven we set off in a coach for the Lyceum ; were 
at home again in about four hours and a half; had 
soup and wine and water, and then went to our 
holes. 

Edward finds his quarters very snug and quiet. 
I must get a softer pen. This is harder. I am in 
agonies. I have not yet seen Mr. Crabbe. Mar- 
tha's letter is gone to the post. 

I am going to write nothing but short sentences. 
There shall be two full stops in every line. Lay- 
ton and Shear's is Bedford House. We mean to 

1 Eliza, Henry Austen's first wi£e, who had died iu the 
earlier part of this year. 



196 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

get there before breakfast if it 's possible; for we 
feel more and more how much we have to do and 
how little time. This house looks very nice. It 
seems like Sloane Street moved here. I believe 
Henry is just rid of Sloane Street. Fanny does 
not come, but I have Edward seated by me begin- 
ning a letter, which looks natural. 

Henry has been suffering from the pain in the 
face which he has been subject to before. He 
caught cold at Matlock, and since his return has 
been paying a little for past pleasure. It is nearly 
removed now, but he looks thin in the face, either 
from the pain or the fatigues of his tour, which 
must have been great. 

Lady Kobert is deliglited with P. and P.,^ and 
really was so, as I understand, before she knew 
who wrote it, for of course she knows now. 
He told her with as much satisfaction as if it were 
my wish. He did not tell me this, but he told 
Fanny. And Mr. Hastings ! I am quite de- 
lighted with what such a man writes about it. 
Henry sent him the books after his return from 
Daylesford, but you Avill hear the letter too. 

Let me be rational, and return to my two full 
stops. 

I talked to Henry at the play last night. We 
were in a private box, — Mr. Spencer's, — which 
made it much more pleasant. The box is di- 
i " rride and rrcjudice." 



181.3.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 197 

rectly on the stage. One is infinitely less fa- 
tigued than in the common way. But Henry's 
plans are not what one could wish. He does not 
mean to be at Chawton till the 29th. He must be 
in town again by Oct. 5. His plan is to get a 
couple of days of pheasant shooting and then re- 
turn directly. His wish was to bring you back 
with him. I have told him your scruples. He 
wishes you to suit yourself as to time, and if you 
cannot come till later, will send for you at any 
time as far as Bagshot. He presumed you would 
not find difficulty in getting so far. I could not 
say you would. He proposed your going with him 
into Oxfordshire. It was his own thought at first. 
I could not but catch at it for you. 

We have talked of it again this morning (for 
now we have breakfasted), and I am convinced that 
if you can make it suit in other re.spects you need 
not scruple on his account. If 3'ou cannot come 
back with him on the 3rd or 4th, therefore, I do 
hope you will contrive to go to Adlestrop. By not 
beginning your absence till about the middle of 
this month I think you may manage it very well. 
But you will think all this over. One could wish 
he had intended to come to you earlier, but it can- 
not be helped. 

I said nothing to him of Mrs. H. and Miss B., 
that he might not suppose difficulties. Shall not 
you put them into our own room? This seems to 



198 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

me the best plan, and the maid will be most con- 
veniently near. 

Oh, dear me! when I shall ever have done. We 
did go to Lay ton and Shear's before breakfast. 
Very pretty English poplins at 4s. Sd. ; Irish, 
ditto at 6s. ; more pretty, certainly, — beautiful. 

Fanny and the two little girls are gone to take 
places for to-night at Covent Garden; " Clandestine 
Marriage" and "Midas." The latter will be a 
fine show for L. and M.^ They revelled last night 
in "Don Juan," whom we left in hell at half-past 
eleven. We had scaramouch and a ghost, and 
were delighted. I speak of them; my delight 
was very tranquil, and the rest of us were sober- 
minded. "Don Juan" was the last of three mu- 
sical things. " Five Hours at Brighton," in three 
acts, — of which one was over before we arrived, 
none the worse, — and the "Beehive," ratlier less 
flat and trumpery. 

I have this moment received 51. from kind, beau- 
tiful Edward. Fanny has a similar gift, I shall 
save what I can of it for your better leisure in this 
place. My letter was from Miss Sharpe, — nothing 
particular. A letter from Fanny Cage this morning. 

Jf'our o^clock. — We are just come back from do- 
ing Mrs. Tickars, Miss Hare, and Mr. Spence. 
Mr. Hall is here, and while Fanny is under his 
hands, I will try to write a little more. 
1 Lizzy and Marianue. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 199 

Miss Hare had some pretty cajis, and is to make 
me one like one of them, only white satin instead 
of blue. It will be white satin and lace, and a 
little white flower perking out of the left ear, like 
Harriot Byron's feather. I have allowed her to 
go as far as 11. 16s. My gown is to be trimmed 
everywhere with white ribbon plaited on somehow 
or other. She says it will look well. I am not 
sanguine. They trim with white very much. 

I learnt from Mrs. Tickars's young lady, to my 
high amusement, that the stays now are not made 
to force the bosom up at all; that was a very un- 
becoming, unnatural fashion. T was really glad 
to hear that they are not to be so much off the 
shoulders as they were. 

Going to Mr. Spence's was a sad business, and 
cost us many tears; unluckily we were obliged to 
go a second time before he could do more than just 
look. We went first at half-past twelve and after- 
wards at three; papa with us each time; and, alas! 
we are to go again to-morrow. Lizzy is not fin- 
ished yet. There have been no teeth taken out, 
however, nor will be, I believe; but he finds hers 
in a very bad state, and seems to think particu- 
larly ill of their durableness. Tliey have been 
all cleaned, hers filed, and are to be filed again. 
There is a very sad hole between two of her front 
teeth. 

Thursday Morniiig, half-past Seven. — Up and 



200 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

dressed and downstairs in order to finish my letter 
in time for the parcel. At eight I have an appoint- 
ment with Madame B., who wants to show me 
something downstairs. At nine we are to set oft" 
for Grafton House, and get that OA'er before break- 
fast. Edward is so kind as to walk there with ns. 
We are to be at Mr. Spence's again at 11.5: from 
that time shall be driving about I suppose till four 
o'clock at least. We are, if possible, to call on 
Mrs. Tilson. 

Mr. Hall was very punctual yesterday, and 
curled me out at a great rate. I thought it looked 
hideous, and longed for a snug cap instead, but my 
companions silenced me by their admiration. I 
had only a bit of velvet round my head. I did not 
catch cold, however. The weather is all in my 
favor. I have had no pain in my face since I 
left you. 

We had very good places in the box next the 
stage-box, front and second row ; the three old ones 
behind, of course. I was particularly disappointed 
at seeing nothing of Mr. Crabbe. I felt sure of 
him when I saw that the boxes were fitted up witli 
crimson velvet. The new Mr. Terry was Lord 
Ogleby, and Henry thinks he may do; but there 
was no acting more than moderate, and I was as 
much amused by the remembrances connected with 
''Midas " as with any part of it. The girls were 
very much delighted, but still prefer " Don Juan; " 



1813.] LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 201 

and I must say that I have seen nobody on the 
stage who has been a move interesting character 
than that compound of cruelty and lust. 

It was not possible for me to get the worsteds 
yesterday. I heard Edward last night pressing 
Henry to come to you, and I think Henry engaged 
to go there after his November collection. Nothing 
has been done as to S. and S.^ The books came to 
hand too late for him to have time for it before he 
went, Mr. Hastings never hinted at Eliza in the 
smallest degree. Henry knew nothing of Mr. 
Trimmer's death. I tell you these things that you 
may not have to ask them over again. 

There is a new clerk sent down to Alton, a Mr. 
Edmund Williams, a young man whom Henry 
thinks most highly of, and he turns out to be 
a son of the luckless Williamses of Grosvenor 
Place. 

I long to have you hear Mr. H. 's opinion of 
P. and P. His admiring my Elizabeth so much is 
particularly welcome to me. 

Instead of saving my superfluous wealth for you 
to spend, I am going to treat myself with spending 
it myself. I hope, at least, that I shall find some 
poplin at Layton and Shear's that will tempt me to 
buy it. If I do, it shall be sent to Chawton, as 
half will be for you ; for I depend upon your being 
so kind as to accept it, being the main point. It 
1 " Sense and Sensiliility." 



202 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

will be a great pleasure to me. Don't say a word. 
I only wish you could choose too. I shall send 
twenty yards. 

Now for Bath. Poor F. Cage has suffered a 
good deal from her accident. The noise of the 
White Hart was terrible to her. They will keep 
her quiet, I dare say. She is not so much delighted 
with the place as the rest of the party; probably, 
as she says herself, from having been less well, but 
she thinks she should like it better in the season. 
The streets are very empty now, and the shops not 
so gay as she expected. They are at No. 1 Hen- 
rietta Street, the corner of Laura Place, and have 
no acquaintance at present but the Brainstons. 

Lady Bridges drinks at the Cross Bath, her son 
at the Hot, and Louisa is going to bathe. Dr. Parry 
seems to be half starving Mr. Bridges, for he is re- 
stricted to much such a diet as James's, bread, water 
and meat, and is never to eat so much of that as 
he wishes, and he is to walk a great deal, — w^alk till 
he drops, I believe, — gout or no gout. It really is 
to that purpose. I have not exaggerated. 

Charming weather for you and us, and the trav- 
ellers, and everybody. You will take your walk 
this afternoon, and . . . 

Henrietta Street, the autumu of 1813. 
Miss Austen, Chawton. 
By favor of Mr. Gray, 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 203 

XLVI. 

Henrietta Street, 
Thursday (Sept. 16, after diuner). 

Thank you, my dearest Cassandra, for the nice 
long letter I sent off this morning. I hope you 
have had it by this time, and tliat it has found you 
all well, and my mother no more in need of 
leeches. Whether this will be delivered to you by 
Henry on Saturday evening, or by the postman 
on Sunda}' morning, I know not, as he has lately 
recollected something of an engagement for Satur- 
daj^, which perhaps may delay his visit. He seems 
determined to come to you soon, however. 

I hope you will receive the gown to-morrow, 
and may be able with tolerable honesty to say that 
you like the color. It was bought at Grafton 
House, where, by going very early, we got imme- 
diate attendance and went on very comfortably. 
I only forgot the one particular thing which I had 
always resolved to buy there, — a white silk hand- 
kerchief, — and was therefore obliged to give six 
shillings for one at Crook and Besford's; which 
reminds me to say that the worsteds ought also to 
be at Chawton to-morrow, and that I shall be very 
happy to hear they are approved. I had not much 
time for deliberation. 

We are now all four of us young ladies sitting 
round the circular table in the inner room writing: 



204 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

our letters, while the two brothers are having a 
comfortable coze in the room adjoining. It is to 
be a quiet evening, much to the satisfaction of four 
of the six. My eyes are quite tired of dust and 
lamps. 

The letter you forwarded from Edward, junr., 
has been duly received. He has been shooting 
most prosperously at home, and dining at Chilham 
Castle and with Mr. Scudamore. 

My cap is come home, and I like it very much. 
Fanny has one also; hers is white sarsenet and lace, 
of a different shape from mine, more fit for morn- 
ing carriage wear, which is what it is intended 
for, and is in shape exceedingly like our own 
satin and lace of last winter; shaped round the 
face exactly like it, with pipes and more fulness, 
and a round crown inserted behind. My cap has 
a peak in front. Large full bows of very narrow 
ribbon (old twopenny) are the thing. One over 
the right temple, perhaj^s, and another at the left 
ear. 

Henry is not quite well. His stomach is rather 
deranged. You must keep him in rhubarb, and 
give him plenty of port and water. He caught his 
cold farther back than I told you, — before he got 
to Matlock, somewhere in his journey from the 
North; but the ill effects of that I hope are nearly 
gone. 

We returned from Grafton House only just in 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 205 

time for breakfast, and had scarcely finished break- 
fast when the carriage came to the door. From 
eleven to half-past three we were hard at it; we did 
contrive to get to Hans Place for ten minutes. 
Mrs. T. was as affectionate and pleasing as ever. 

After our return Mr. Tilson walked up from 
the Compting House and called upon us, and these 
have been all our visitings. 

I have rejoiced more than once that I bought 
my writing-paper in the countr}^; we have not had 
a quarter of an hour to spare. 

I enclose the eighteen-pence due to my mother. 
The rose color was 6s. and the other 4s. per yard. 
There was but two yards and a quarter of the dark 
slate in the slio}», but the man promised to match 
it and send it off correctly. 

Fanny bouglit her Irish at Newton's in Leicester 
Square, and I took the opportunity of thinking 
about your Irish, and seeing one piece of the yard 
wide at 4s., and it seemed to me very good; good 
enough for your purpose. It might at least be 
worth your while to go there, if you have no other 
engagements. Fanny is very much pleased with 
the stockings she has bought of Remmington, silk 
at 12s., cotton at 4s. od. She thinks them great 
bargains, but I have not seen them yet, as my 
hair was dressing when the man and the stockings, 
came. 

The poor girls and tlieir teeth I 1 have not 



206 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

mentioned tliem yet, but we were a whole hour at 
Spence's, and Lizzy's were filed and lamented over 
again, and poor Marianne had two taken out after 
all, the two just be3'ond the eye teeth, to make 
room for those in front. When her doom was 
fixed, Panny, Lizzy, and I walked into the next 
room, where we heard each of tlie two sharp and 
hasty screams. 

The little girls' teeth I can suppose in a critical 
state, but I think he must be a lover of teeth and 
money and mischief, to parade about Fanny's. I 
would not have had him look at mine for a shilling 
a tooth and double it. It was a disagreeable 
hour. 

We then went to Wedgwood's, where my 
brother and Fanny chose a dinner-set. I believe 
the pattern is a small lozenge in purple, between 
lines of narrow gold, and it is to have the crest. 

We must have been three-quarters of an hour 
at Grafton Hous?, Edward sitting by all the time 
with wonderful patience. There Fanny bought 
the net for Anna's gown, and a beautiful square 
veil for herself. The edging there is very cheap. 
I was tempted by some, and I boiaght some very 
nice plaiting lace at 35. 4c?. 

Fanny desires me to tell Martha, with her kind 
love, that Bivchall assured her there was no second 
set of Hook's Lessons for Beginners, and that, by 
my advice, she has therefore chosen her a set by 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 207 

another composer. I tlioiiglit she would ratlier 

have something than not. It costs six shillings. 

With love to you all, including Triggs, I 

remain, 

Yours very affectionately, J. Austen. 

Henrietta St., autumn of 1813. 
Miss AusTEX, Chawton. 
By favor of 

XLvir. 

GoDMERSHAM Park, Tliursdav (Sept. 23). 

My dearest Cassandra, — Thank you five 
hundred and forty times for the exquisite piece of 
workmanship which was brought into the room 
this morning, while we were at breakfast, with 
some very inferior works of art in the same way, 
and which I read with high glee, much delighted 
with everything it told, whether good or bad. It 
is so rich in striking intelligence that I hardly 
know what to reply to first. I believe finery must 
have it. 

I am extremely glad that you like the poplin. 
I thought it would hare my mother's approbation, 
but was not so confident of yours. Remember 
that it is a present. Do not refuse me. I am 
very rich. 

Mrs. Clement is very welcome to her little boy, 
and to my congratulations into the bargain, if ever 
you think of giving them. I hope she will do 



208 LETTERS UE JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

well. Her sister in Lucina, Mrs. H. Gipps, does 
too well, we think. Mary P. Avrote on Sunday 
that she had been tliree days on the sofa. Sackree 
does not approve it. 

Well, there is some comfort in the Mrs. Hul- 
bart's not coming to you, and I am liappy to hear 
of the honey. I was thinking of it the other day. 
Let me know when you begin the new tea and 
the new white wine. My present elegances have 
not yet made me indifferent to such matters. I 
am still a cat if I see a mouse. 

I am glad 3'ou like our caps, but Fanny is out 
of conceit with liers already; she finds that she 
has been buying a new cap without having a new 
pattern, which is true enough. She is rather out 
of luck to like neither her gown nor her caji, but 
I do not mucli mind it, because besides that I like 
them both myself, I consider it as a thing of course 
at her time of life, — one of the sweet taxes of 
youth to choose in a hurry and make bad bargains. 

I wrote to Charles yesterday, and Fanny has 
liad a letter from him to-day, principally to make 
inquiries about the time of their visit here, to 
Avhich mine was an answer beforehand; so he will 
probably write again soon to fix his week. I am 
best pleased that Cassy does not go to you. 

Now, what have we been doing since I wrote 
last? The Mr. K.'s^ came a little before dinner 
1 Knatchlmlls. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 209 

on Monday, and Edward went to tlie church with 
tlie two seniors, but there is no inscription yet 
drawn up. Tliey are very good-natured, you know, 
and civil, and all that, hut are not particularly 
superfine; however, they ate their dinner and 
drank their tea, and went awaj^, leaving their 
lovely Wadham in our arms, and I wish you had 
seen Fanny and me running backwards and for- 
wards with his breeches from the little chintz to 
the white room before we went to bed, in the 
greatest of frights lest he should come upon us 
before we had done it all. There had been a mis- 
take in the housemaid's preparation, and they 
were gone to bed. 

He seems a very harmless sort of young man, 
nothing to like or dislike in him, — goes out shoot- 
ing or hunting with the two others all the morn- 
ing, and plays at whist and makes queer faces in 
the evening. . . . 

XLVIII. 

GoDMERSHAJi Park, Monclav (Oct. 11) 
[My dearest Aunt Cass., — I have just asked 
Aunt Jane to let me write a little in her letter, 
but she does not like it, so I won't. Good-byl] 

You will have Edward's letter to-morrow\ He 
tells me that he did not send you any news to in- 
terfere with mine, but I do not think there is much 
for anybody to send at present. 
14 



210 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

We had our dinner-party on Wednesday, with 
the addition of Mrs. and Miss Milles, who were 
under a promise of dining here in their return from 
Eastwell, whenever they paid their visit of duty 
there, and it hapj^ened to be paid on that day, BotJi 
mother and daughter are much as I have always 
found them. I like the mother — first, because she 
reminds me of Mrs. Birch; and, secondly, because 
she is cheerful and grateful for what she is at the 
age of ninety and upwards. The day was pleasant 
enough. I sat by Mr. Chisholrae, and we talked 
away at a great rate about nothing worth hearing. 

It was a mistake as to the day of the Sherers 
going being fixed; they are ready, but are waiting 
for Mr. Paget 's answer. 

I inquired of Mrs. Milles after Jemima Brydges, 
and was quite grieved to hear that she was obliged 
to leave Canterbury some months ago on account 
of her debts, and is nobody knows where. What 
an unprosperous famil}^! 

On Saturday, soon after breakfast, Mr. J. P. left 
us for Norton Court. I like him very much. He 
gives me the idea of a very amiable young man, 
only too diffident to be so agreeable as he might 
be. He was out the chief of each morning with 
the other two, shooting and getting wet through. 
To-morrow we are to know whether he and a hun- 
dred young ladies will come here for the ball. I 
do not much expect any. 



181.3] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 211 

The Deecles cannot meet us; they have engage- 
ments at home. I will finish the Deedes by saying 
that they are not likely to come here till quite late 
in my stay, — the very last week perhaps; and 
I do not expect to see the Moores at all. They 
are not solicited till after Edward's return from 
Hampshire. 

Monday, November 15, is the day now fixed for 
our setting out. 

Poor Basingstoke races! There seem to have 
been two particularly wretched days on purpose 
for them ; and Weyhill week does not begin much 
happier. 

We were quite surprised by a letter from Anna 
at Tollard Royal, last Saturday ; but perfectly ap- 
prove her going, and only regret they should all 
go so far to stay so few days. 

We had thunder and lightning here on Thursday 
morning, between five and seven; no very bad 
thunder, but a great deal of lightning. It has 
given the commencement of a season of wind and 
rain, and perhaps for the next six weeks we shall 
not have two dry days together. 

Lizzy is very much obliged to you for your let- 
ter and will answer it soon, but has so many things 
to do that it may be four or five days before she 
can. This is quite her own message, spoken in 
rather a desponding tone. Your letter gave pleas- 
ure to all of us; we had all the reading of it of 



212 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

course, — I three times, as I undertook, to the great 
relief of Lizzy, to read it to Sackree, and after- 
wards to Louisa. 

Sackree does not at all approve of Mary Doe 
and her nuts, — on the score of propriety rather 
than health. She saw some signs of going after 
her in George and Henry, and thinks if you could 
give the girl a check, by rather reproving her for 
taking anything seriously about nuts which they 
said to her, it might be of use. This, of course, 
is between our three discreet selves, a scene of 
triennial bliss. 

Mrs. Breton called here on Saturday. I never 
saw her before. She is a large, ungeuteel woman, 
with self-satisfied and would-be elegant manners. 

We are certain of some visitors to-morrow. Ed- 
ward Bridges conies for two nights in his way from 
Lenham to Eamsgate, and brings a friend — name 
unknown — but supposed to be a Mr. Harpur, a 
neighboring clergyman; and Mr. R. Mascall is to 
shoot with the young men, which it is to be sup- 
posed will end in his staying dinner. 

On Thursday, Mr. Lushington, M.P. for Canter- 
bury, and manager of the Lodge Hounds, dines 
here, and stays the night. He is chiefly young 
Edward's acquaintance. If I can I will get a frank 
from him, and write to you all the sooner. I sup- 
l^ose the Ashford ball will furnish something. 

As I wrote of my nephews with a little bitter- 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 213 

ness in my last, I think it particularly incumbent 
on me to do them justice now, and I have great 
pleasure in saying that they were both at the Sacra- 
ment yesterday. After having much praised or 
much blamed anybody, one is generally sensible 
of something just the reverse soon afterwards. 
Kow these two boys who are out with the foxhounds 
will come home and disgust me again by some 
habit of luxury or some proof of sporting mania, 
unless I keep it off by this prediction. They 
amuse themselves very comfortably in the evening 
by netting; they are each about a rabbit net, and 
sit as deedily to it, side by side, as any two Uncle 
Franks could do. 

I am looking over "Self-Control" again, and 
my opinion is confirmed of its being an excellently 
meant, elegantly written work, without anything 
of nature or probability^ in it. I declare I do not 
know whether Laura's passage down the American 
river is not the most natural, possible, every-day 
thing she ever does. 

Tuesday. — Dear me! what is to become of me? 
Such a long letter! Two-and-forty lines in the 
second page. Like Harriot Byron, I ask, what am 
I to do with my gratitude? I can do nothing but 
thank you and go on. A few of your inquiries, I 
think, are replied to e?z avance. 

The name of F. Cage's drawing-master is O'Neil. 
We are exceedingly amused with your Shalden 



214 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

news, and your self-reproacli on the subject of Mrs. 
Stockvvell made me laugh heartily. I rather won- 
dered that Johncock,^ the only person in the room, 
could help laughing too. I had not heard before 
of her having the measles. Mrs. H. and Alethea's 
staying till Friday was quite new to me; a good 
plan, however. I could not have settled it better 
myself, and am glad they found so much in the 
house to approve, and I hope they will ask Martha 
to visit them. I admire the sagacity and taste of 
Charlotte Williams. Those large dark eyes always 
judge well. I will compliment her by naming a 
heroine after her. 

Edward has had all the particulars of the build- 
ing, etc., read to him twice over, and seems very 
well satisfied. A narrow door to the pantry is the 
only subject of solicitude; it is certainly just the 
door which should not be narrow, on account of 
the trays; but if a case of necessity, it must be 
borne. 

I knew there was sugar in the tin, but liad no 
idea of there being enough to last through your 
company. All the better. You ought not to think 
this new loaf better than the other, because that 
was the first of -five which all came together. 
Something of fancy, perhaps, and something of 
imagination. 

Dear Mrs. Digweed! I cannot bear that she 
^ The butler at Godmersham. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 215 

should not be foolishly hap])y after a ball. I hope 
Miss Yates and her companions were all well the 
day after their arrival. I am thoroughly rejoiced 
that Miss Benn has placed herself in lodgings, 
though I hope they may not be long necessary. 

!N"o letter from Charles yet. 

Southey's "Life of Nelson." I am tired of 
''Lives of Nelson," being that I never read any. I 
will read this, however, if Frank is mentioned in it. 

Here am I in Kent, witli one brother in the 
same county and another brotlier's wife, and see 
nothing of them, which seems unnatural. It will 
not last so forever, I trust. I should like to have 
Mrs. F. A. and her children here for a week, but 
not a s^'llable of that nature is ever breathed. I 
wish her last visit had not been so long a one. 

I wonder whether Mrs. Tilson has ever lain-in. 
Mention it if it ever comes to your knowledge, and 
we shall hear of it by the same post from Henry. 

Mr. .Rob. Mascall breakfasted here; he eats a 
great deal of butter. I dined upon goose yester- 
day, which, I hope, will secure a good sale of my 
second edition. Have you any tomatas? Fanny 
and I regale on them every day. 

Disastrous letters from the Plumptres and Oxen- 
dens. Refusals everywhere — a blank partout — 
and it is not quite certain whether we g.) or 
not; something may depend upon the disposition 
of Uncle Edward wlien he conies, and upon what 



216 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

we liear at Cliilham Castle this morning, for we 
are going to pay visits. We are going to each 
hovise at Chilham and to Mystole. I shall like 
seeing the Faggs. I shall like it all, except that 
we are to set out so earl}^ that I have not time to 
write as I would wish. 

Edwd. Bridges's friend is a Mr. Hawker, I find, 
not Harpur. I would not have you sleep in such 
an error for the world. 

My brother desires his best love and thanks for 
all your information. He hopes the roots of the 
old beech have been dug away enough to allow a 
proper covering of mould and turf. He is sorry 
for the necessity of building the new coin, but 
hopes they will contrive tliat the doorway sliould 
be of the usual width, — if it must be contracted 
on one side, by widening it on the other. The ap- 
pearance need not signify. And he desires me to 
say that your being at Chawton when he is will be 
quite necessary. You cannot think it more indis- 
pensable than he does. He is very much obliged 
to you for your attention to everything. Have you 
any idea of returning witli him to Henrietta Street 
and finishing your visit then? Tell me your sweet 
little innocent ideas. 

Everything of love and kindness, pr(_)per and 
improper, must now suffice. 

Yours very affectionately, J. Austen. 

Miss Austen, Chawton, Alton, Hauts. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 217 



XLIX. 

GoDMERSHAM Park, Tliui'sday (Oct. 14). 

My dearest Cassandra, — Now I will prepare 
for Mr. Lusliington, and as it will be wisest also 
to prepare for liis not coming, or my not getting a 
frank, I shall write very close from the first, and 
even leave room for the seal in the proper place. 
When I have followed up my last with this I shall 
feel somewhat less unworthy of you thaia the state 
of our correspondence no\y requires. 

I left off in a great hurry to prepare for our 
morning visits. Of course was ready a good deal 
the first, and need not have hurried so much. 
Fanny wore her new gown and cap. I was sur- 
prised to find Mystole so pretty. 

The ladies were at home. I was in luck, and 
saw Lady Fagg and all her five daughters, with an 
old Mrs. Hamilton, from Canterbury, and Mrs. 
and Miss Chapman, from IVIargate, into the bar- 
gain. I never saw so plain a family, — five sisters 
so very plain! They are as plain as the Foresters, 
or the Franfraddojis, or the Seagraves, or the 
Rivers, excluding Sophy. Miss Sally Fagg has a 
pretty figure, and that comprises all the good looks 
of the family. 

It was stupidish; Fanny did lier part very well, 
but there was a lack of talk altogether, and the 



218 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

tliree friends in the lionse only sat by and looked 
at lis. However, Miss Chajjman's name is Laura, 
and she had a double flounce to her gown. You 
really must get some flounces. Are not some of 
your large stock of white morning gowns just in a 
hapjiy state for a flounce — too short? Nobody at 
home at either house in Chilham. 

Edward Bridges and his friend did not forget to 
arrive. The friend is a Mr. Wigram, one of the 
three-and-twenty children of a great rich mercan- 
tile. Sir Robert Wigram, an old acquaintance of 
the Footes, but very recently known to Edward I). 
The history of his coming here is, that, intending 
to go from Eamsgate to Brighton, Edw. B. per- 
suaded him to take Lenham on his way, which gave 
him the convenience of Mr. W.'s gig, and the 
comfort of not being alone there; but, probably 
thinking a few days of Gm. would be the cheapest 
and pleasantest way of entertaining his friend and 
himself, offered a visit here, and here they stay 
till to-morrow. 

INIr. W. is about five or six-and-twenty, not ill- 
looking, and not agreeable. He is certainly no 
addition. A sort of cool, gentlemanlike manner, 
but very silent. They say his name is Henry, a 
proof how unequally the gifts of fortune are be- 
stowed. I have seen many a John and Thomas 
much more agreeable. 

We have srot rid of Mr. R. Mascall, however. I 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 219 

did not like him, either. He talks too much, and 
is conceited, besides having a vulgarly shaped 
mouth. He slept here on Tuesday, so that yester- 
day Fanny and I sat down to breakfast with six 
gentlemen to admire us. 

We did not go to the ball. It was left to her to 
decide, and at last she determined against it. She 
knew that it would be a sacrifice on the part of her 
father and brothers if they went, and I hope it 
will prove that she has not sacrificed much. It is 
not likely that there should have been anybody 
there whom she would care for. I was very glad 
to be spared the trouble of dressing and going, and 
being weary before it was half over; so my gown 
and my cap are still unworn. It will appear at 
last, perhaps, that I miglit have done without 
either. I produced my brown bombazine yester- 
day, and it was very much admired indeed, and I 
like it better than ever. 

You have given many particulars of the state of 
Chawton House, but still we want more. Edward 
wants to be expressly told that all the round tower, 
etc., is entirely down, and the door from the best 
room stopped up; he does not know enough of the 
appearance of things in that quarter. 

He heard from Bath yesterday. Lady B. con- 
tinues very well, and Dr. Parry's opinion is, that 
while the water agrees with her she ought to re- 
main tliere, which throws their coming away at a 



220 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

greater uncertainty than we had supposed. It will 
end, perhaps, in a fit of the gout, which may pre- 
vent her coming away. Louisa thinks her mother's 
being so well may be quite as much owing to her 
being so much out of doors as to the water. Lady 
B. is going to try the hot pump, the Cross bath 
being about to be painted. Louisa is particularly 
well herself, and thinks the water has been of use 
to her. She mentioned our inquiries, etc., to Mr. 
and Mrs. Alex. Evelyn, and had their best compli- 
ments and thanks to give in return. Dr. Parry 
does not exj^ect Mr. E. to last much longer. 

Only think of Mrs. Holder's being dead! Poor 
woman, she has done the only thing in the world 
she could possibly do to make one cease to abuse 
her. Now, if you please, Hooper must have it in 
his power to do more by his uncle. Lucky for the 
little girl. An Anne Ekins can hardly be so unfit 
for the care of a child as a Mrs. Holder. 

A letter from Wrotham yesterday offering an 
early visit here, and Mr. and Mrs. Moore and one 
child are to come on Monday for ten da3"S. I hope 
Charles and Eanny may not fix the same time, but 
if they come at all in October they must. What 
is the use of hoping? The two parties of children 
is the chief evil. 

To be sure, here we are; the veiy thing has 
happened, or rather worse, — a letter from Charles 
this very morning, which gives us reason to sup- 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 221 

pose tliey may come here to-day. It depends upon 
the weather, and tlie weather now is very fine. 
No difficulties are made, however, and, indeed, 
there will he no want of room ; hut I wish there 
were no Wigrams and Lushingtons in the way to 
fill up the tahle and make us such a motley set. I 
cannot spare Mr. Lushington either, because of his 
frank, but Mr. Wigram does no good to anybody. 
I cannot imagine how a man can have the impu- 
dence to come into a family party for three days, 
where he is quite a stranger, unless he knows him- 
self to be agreeable on undoubted authorit}'. He 
and Edw. B. are going to ride to Eastwell, and as 
the boys are hunting, and my brother is gone to 
Canty., Fanny and I have a quiet morning before 
us. 

Edward has driven off poor Mi*s. Salkeld. It 
was thought a good opportunity of doing some- 
thing towards clearing the house. B}^ her own 
desire Mrs. Fanny ^ is to be put in the room next 
the nursery, her baby in a little bed by her; and 
as Cassy is to have the closet within, and Betsej^ 
William's little hole, they will be all very snug 
together. I shall be most happy to see dear 
Charles, and he will be as happy as he can with 
a cross child, or some such care, pressing on him 
at the time. I should be very happy in the idea 
of seeing little Cassy again, too, did not I fear 
1 Mrs. Charles Ansteu, ne'e Fanii^- Palmer. 



222 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN [1813. 

she would disappoint me by some immediate 
disagreeableness. . . . 

The comfort of the Lilliavd-table here is very 
great; it draws all the gentlemen to it whenever 
they are within, especially after dinner, so that my 
brother, Fanny, and I have the librarj^ to ourselves 
in delightful quiet. There is no truth in the re- 
port of G. Hatton being to marry Miss Wemyss. 
He desires it may be contradicted. 

Have you done anything about our present to 
Miss Benn? I suppose she must have a bed at my 
mother's whenever she dines there. How will they 
manage as to inviting her when you are gone? and 
if they invite, how will they continue to entertain 
her? 

Let me know as many of your parting arrange- 
ments as you can, as to wine^ etc. I wonder 
whether the ink-bottle has been filled. Does 
butcher's meat keep up at the same jirice, and 
is not bread lower than 2s. 6d.? Mary's blue 
gown! My mother must be in agonies. I have 
a great mind to have my blue gown dyed some 
time or other. I proposed it once to you, and 
you made some objection, I forget what. It 
is the fashion of flounces that gives it particu- 
lar expediency. 

Mrs. and Miss Wildman have just been here. 
Miss is very plain. I wish Lad}' B. may be re- 
turned before we leave Gm., that Fanny may 



1813] LETTERS OF JAXE AUSTEX. 223 

spend the time of her father's absence at Good- 
nestone, which is what she would prefer. 

Friday. — They came last night at about seven. 
We had given them up, but I still expected them 
to come. Dessert was nearly over; a better time 
for arriving than an hour and a half earlier. They 
were late because they did not set out earlier, and 
did not allow time enough, Charles did not aim 
at more than reaching Sittingbourne b}^ three, 
which could not have brought them here by dinner- 
time. They had a very rough passage; he would 
not have ventured if he had known how bad it 
would be. 

However, here they are, safe and well, just like 
their own nice selves, Fanny looking as neat and 
white this morning as possible, and dear Charles 
all affectionate, placid, quiet, cheerful good-humor. 
They are both looking very well, but poor little 
Cassy is grown extremely thin, and looks poorly. 
I hope a week's country air and exercise, may do 
her good. I am sorry to say it can be but a week. 
The baby does not appear so large in proportion as 
she was, nor quite so pretty, but I have seen very 
little of her. Cassy was too tired and bewildered 
just at first to seem to know anybody. "We met 
them in the hall — the women and girl part of us 
— but before we reached the library she kissed me 
very affectionately, and has since seemed to recol- 
lect me in the same wav. 



224 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

It was quite an evening of confusion, as you 
may suppose. At first we were all walking about 
from one part of the house to the other; then came 
a fresh dinner in the hreakfast-room for Charles 
and his Avife, which Fanny and I attended; then 
we moved into the library, were joined by the 
dining-room people, were introduced, and so forth; 
and then we had tea and coffee, which was not over 
till past ten. Billiards again drew all the odd 
ones away ; and Edward, Charles, the two Fannies, 
and I sat snugly talking. I sliall be glad to have 
our numbers a little reduced, and by the time you 
receive this we shall be only a family, though a 
large family, party. Mr. Lushington goes to- 
morrow. 

Now I must speak of him, and I like him very 
much. I am sure he is clever, and a man of taste. 
He got a volume of Milton last night, and spoke 
of it with warmth. He is quite an M. P., very 
smiling, with an exceeding good address and readi- 
ness of language. I am rather in love with him. 
I dare say he is ambitious and insincere. He puts 
me in mind of Mr. Dundas. He has a wide smil- 
ing mouth, and very good teeth, and something the 
same complexion and nose. He is a much shorter 
man, with Martha's leave. Does Martha never 
hear from Mrs. Craven? Is Mrs. Craven never at 
home? 

We breakfasted in the dining-room to-day, and 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 225 

are now all pretty well dispersed and quiet. 
Charles and George are gone out shooting together, 
to Winn i gates and Seaton Wood. I asked on pur- 
pose to tell Henry. Mr. Lushington and Edwd. 
are gone some other way. I wish Charles may kill 
something; but this high wind is against their 
sport. 

Lady Williams is living at the Rose at Sitting- 
bourne; they called upon her yesterday; she can- 
not live at Sheerness, and as soon as she gets to 
Sittingbourne is quite well. In return for all your 
matches, I announce that her brother William is 
going to marry a Miss Austen, of a Wiltshire 
family, who say they are related to us. 

I talk to Cassy about Chawton; she remembers 
much, but does not volunteer on the subject. 
Poor little love! I wish she were not so very 
Palmary, but it seems stronger than ever. I never 
knew a wife's family features have such undue 
intluence. 

Papa and mamma have not yet made up their 
mind as to parting with her or not; the chief, in- 
deed the only, difficulty with mamma is a very 
reasonable one, the child's being verj^ unwilling to 
leave them. When it was mentioned to her she 
did not like the idea of it at all. At the same 
time she has been suffering so much lately from 
sea-sickness that her mamma cannot bear to have 
her much on board this winter. Charles is less 

1j 



226 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1SI3. 

inclined to part with her. I do not know how it 
will end, or what is to determine it. He desires 
his best love to 3-011, and has not written because 
he has not been able to decide. They are both 
very sensible of your kindness on the occasion. 

I have made Charles furnish me with something 
to say about young Kendall. He is going on very 
well. When he first joined the '''Namur, " my 
brother did not find him forward enough to be 
what they call put in the office, and therefore 
placed him under the schoolmaster; but he is 
very much improved, and goes into the office 
now every afternoon, still attending school in 
the morning. 

This cold weather comes very fortunately for 
Edward's nerves, with such a house full; it suits 
him exactly; he is all alive and cheerful. Poor 
James, on the contrary, must be running his toes 
into the fire. I find that Mary Jane Fowle was 
very near returning with her brother and paying 
them a visit on board. I forget exactly what hin- 
dered her; I believe the Cheltenham scheme. I 
am glad something did. They are to go to Chel- 
tenham on Monday se'nnight. I don't vouch for 
their going, you know; it only comes from one of 
the family. 

Now I think I have written you a good-sized 
letter, and may deserve whatever I can get in re- 
ply. Infinities of love. I must distinguish that 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 227 

of Fanny, senior, who particularly desires to be 

remembered to you all. 

Yours very affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

Faversham, Oct. 15, 1813. 
Miss Austen, Chawtou, Altun, Hants. 
Per S. R. LusHiNGTON. 



GODMERSHAM PaRK, Oct. IS. 

My dear Aunt Cassandra, — I am very much 
obliged to you for your long letter and for the nice 
account of Chawton. We are all very glad to hear 
that the Adams are gone, and hope Dame Libscombe 
will be more haj^py now with her deaffy child, as 
she calls it, but I am afraid there is not much 
chance of her remaining long sole mistress of her 
house. 

I am sorry you had not any better news to send 
us of our hare, poor little thing! I thought it 
would not live long in that Pondy House; I don't 
wonder that jMary Doe is very sorry it is dead, 
because we promised her that if it was alive when 
we came back to Chawton, we would reward her for 
her trouble. 

Papa is much obliged to you for ordering the 
scrubby firs to be cut down; I think he was rather 
frightened at first about the great oak. Fanny 
quite believed it, for she exclaimed, " Dear me, 



228 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

wliat a pity, how could they be so stupid! " I 
hope by this time they have put up some hurdles 
for the sheep, or turned out the cart-horses from 
the lawn. 

Pray tell grandmamma that we have begun get- 
ting seeds for her; I hope we shall be able to get 
her a nice collection, but I am afraid this wet 
weather is very much against them. How glad I 
am to hear she has had such good success with her 
chickens, but I wish there had been more bantams 
amongst them. I am very sorry to hear of poor 
Lizzie's fate. 

I must now tell you something about our poor 
people. I believe you know old Mary Croucher; 
she gets maderer and maderer every day. Aunt 
Jane has been to see her, but it was on one of her 
rational days. Poor Will Amos hopes your skew- 
ers are doing well; he has left his house in the 
poor Row, and lives in a barn at Builting. We 
asked him wh^^ he went away, and he said the fleas 
were so starved when he came back from Chawton 
that they all flew upon him and eenermost eat 
him up. 

How unlucky it is that the weather is so wet! 
Poor Uncle Charles has come home half drowned 
every day. 

I don't think little Fanny is quite so pretty as 
she was; one reason is because she wears short 
petticoats, I belisve. I hope Cook is better j she 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 229 

was very unwell the Jay we went away. Papa has 
given me half-a-dozen new pencils, which are very 
good ones indeed ; I draw every other day. I hope 
you go and whip Lucy Chalcraft every night. 

Miss Clewes begs me to give her very best re- 
spects to you; she is very much obliged to you for 
your kind inquiries after her. Praj^ give my duty 
to grandmamma and love to Miss Floyd. I re- 
main, my dear Aunt Cassandra, your very affec- 
tionate niece, 

Elizth. Knight. 

Thursday. — I think Lizzy's letter will entertain 
you. Thank you for yours just received. To- 
morrow shall be fine if possible. You will be at 
Guildford before our party set off. They only 
go to Key Street, as Mr. Street the Purser lives 
there, and they have promised to dine and sleep 
with him. 

Cassy's looks are much mended. She agrees 
pretty well with her cousins, but is not quite 
happy among them; they are too many and too 
boisterous for her. I have given her your mes- 
sage, but she said nothing, and did not look as if 
the idea of going to Chawton again was a pleasant 
one. They have Edward's carriage to Ospringe. 

I think I have just done a good deed, — extracted 
Charles from his wife and children upstairs, and 
made him get ready to go out shooting, and not 
keep Mr. Moore waiting any longer. 



230 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sherer and Joseph dined here 
yesterday very prettily. Edw, and Geo. were 
absent, — gone for a night to Eastling. The two 
Fannies went to Canty, in the morning, and took 
Lou. and Cass, to try on ne\y stays. Harriet and 
I had a comfortable walk together. She desires 
her best love to you and kind remembrance to 
Henry. Fanny's best love also. I fancy there is 
to be another party to Canty, to-morrow, — Mr. and 
Mrs. Moore and me. 

Edward thanks Henry for his letter. We are 
most happy to hear he is so much better. I de- 
pend upon you for letting me know what he wishes 
as to my staying with him or not; you will be able 
to find out, I dare say. I had intended to beg you 
would bring one of my nightcaps with you, in case 
of my staying, but forgot it when I wrote on 
Tuesday. Edward is much concerned about his 
pond; he cannot now doubt the fact of its run- 
ning out, which he was resolved to do as long 
as possible. 

I suj)pose my mother will like to have me write 
to her. I shall try at least. 

No; I have never seen the death of Mrs. Crabbe. 
I have only just been making out from one of his 
prefaces that he probably was married. It is al- 
most ridiculous. Poor woman! I will comfort 
him as well as I can, but I do not undertake to be 
good to her children. She had better not leave any. 



1813] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 231 

Edw. and Geo. set off this day week for Oxford. 
Our party will then he very small, as the Moores 
will be going about the same time. To enliven 
us, Fanny proposes spending a few days soon after- 
wards at Fredville. It will really be a good oppor- 
tunity, as her father will have a companion. We 
shall all three go to Wrotham, but Edwd. and I 
stay only a night perhaps. Love to Mr. Tilson. 

Yours very affectionately, J. A. 

Miss At'stex, 

10 Heurietta St, Coveut Garden, London. 

LI. 

GoDMERSHAM Park, Wednesday (Nov. 3). 

My deakest Cassandra, — I will keep this 
celebrated birthday by writing to you; and as my 
pen seems inclined to write large, I will put my 
lines very close together. I had but just time to 
enjoy your letter yesterday before Edward and I 
set off in the chair for Canty., and I allowed him 
to hear the chief of it as we went along. 

We rejoice sincerely in Henry's gaining ground 
as he does, and hope there will be weather for him 
to get out every day this week, as the likeliest way 
of making him equal to what he plans for the next. 
If he is tolerably well, the going into Oxfordshire 
will make him better, by making him happier. 

Can it be that I have not given you the minu- 
tiae of Edward's plans? See, here they are: To 



232 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

go to Wrotham on Saturday tlie 13tli, spend Sun- 
day there, and be in town on Monday to dinner, 
and if agreeable to Henry, spend one whole day 
with him, which day is likely to be Tuesday, and 
so go down to Chawton on Wednesday. 

But now I cannot be quite easy without staying 
a little while with Henry, unless he wishes it 
otherwise; his illness and the dull time of year 
together mahe me feel that it would be horrible of 
me not to offer to remain with him, and therefore 
unless you know of any objection, I wish you 
would tell him with my best love that I shall be 
most happy to spend ten days or a fortnight in 
Henrietta St., if he will accept me. I do not offer 
more than a fortnight, because I shall then have 
oeen some time from home; but it Avill be a great 
pleasure to be with him, as it always is. I have 
the less regret and scruple on your account, because 
I shall see you for a day and a half, and because 
3m:)u will have Edward for at least a week. My 
scheme is to take Bookham in my way home for a 
few days, and my hope that Henry will be so good 
as to send me some part of the way thither. I 
have a most kind repetition of Mrs. Cooke's two or 
three dozen invitations, with the offer of meeting 
me anywhere in one of her airings. 

Fanny's cold is much better. By dosing and 
keeping her room on Sunday, she got rid of the 
worst of it, but I am rather afraid of what this 



181.3] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 233 

day may do for her; she is gone to Canty, with 
Miss Clewes, Liz., and Ma'""^, and it is but rough- 
ish weather for any one in a tender state. Miss 
Clewes has been going to Canty, ever since her 
return, and it is now just accomplishing. 

Edward and I had a delightful morning for our 
drive there, I enjoyed it thoroughly; but the day 
turned off before we were ready, and we came home 
in some rain and the apprehension of a great deal. 
It has not done us any harm, however. He went 
to inspect the gaol, as a visiting magistrate, and 
took me with him. I was gratified, and went 
through all the feelings which people must go 
through, I think, in visiting such a building. 
We paid no other visits, only walked about 
snugly together, and shopped. I bought a con- 
cert ticket and a sprig of flowers for my old age. 

To vary the subject from gay to grave with 
inimitable address, I shall now tell you something 
of the Bath party — and still a Bath party they 
are, for a fit of the gout came on last week. The 
accounts of Lady B. are as good as can be under 
such a circumstance; Dr. P. says it appears a 
good sort of gout, and her spirits are better than 
usual, but as to her coming away, it is of course 
all uncertainty. I have very little doubt of Ed- 
ward's going down to Bath, if t\iey have not left 
it when he is in Hampshire; if he does, he will 
go on from Steventon, and then return direct to 



234 LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

London, without coming back to Cliawton. This 
detention does not suit his feelings. It may be 
rather a good thing, however, that Dr. P. should 
see Lady B. with the gout on her. Harriot was 
quite wishing for it. 

The day seems to improve. I wish my pen 
would too. 

Sweet Mr. Ogle! I dare say he sees all the 
panoramas for nothing, has free admittance every- 
where; he is so delightful! Now, you need not 
see anybody else. 

I am glad to hear of our being likely to have a 
peep at Charles and Fanny at Christmas, but do 
not force poor Cass, to stay if she hates it. You 
have done very right as to Mrs. F. A. Your 
tidings of S. and S. give me pleasure. I have 
never seen it advertised. 

Harriot, in a letter to Fanny to-day, inquires 
whether they sell cloths for pelisses at Bedford 
House, and, if they do, will be very much obliged 
to you to desire them to send her down patterns, 
with the width and prices; they may go from 
Charing Cross almost any daj^ in the week, but 
if it is a ready-money house it will not do, for 
the bru of feu the Archbishop saj^s she cannot pay 
for it immediately. Fanny and I suspect they do 
not deal in the article. 

The Sherers, I believe, are now really going to 
go; Joseph has had a bed here the last two 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 235 

night.s, and I do not know whether this is not the 
day of moving. Mrs. Sherer called yesterday to 
take leave. The weather looks worse again. 

We dine at Chilham Castle to-morrow, and I 
expect to find some amusement, but more from the 
concert the next day, as I am sure of seeing 
several that I want to see. We are to meet a 
party from Gooduestone, Lady B., Miss Hawley, 
and Lucy Foote, and I am to meet Mrs. Harrison, 
and we are to talk about Ben and Anna. "My 
dear Mrs. Harrison," I shall say, "I am afraid 
the young man has some of your family madness; 
and though there often appears to be something of 
madness in Anna too, I think she inherits more 
of it from her mother's family tha.n from ours." 
That is what I shall say, and 1 think she Avill 
find it difficult to answer me. 

I took up your letter again to refresh me, being 
somewhat tired, and was struck with the prettiness 
of the hand: it is reall}' a very pretty hand now 
and then, — so small and so neat! I wish I could 
get as much into a sheet of paper. ^ Another time 
I will take two days to make a letter in: it is 
fatiguing to write a whole long one at once. I 
hope to hear from you again on Sunday and again 

^ I cannot pass this paragraph over without remarking 
that it is hardly possible to imagine anything neater or 
prettier than Jane's own hand. Most of her letters are 
beautifully written, and the MS. of her " Lady Susan " 
remarkably so. — Note by Lord Brabourne. 



236 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

on Friday, the day before we move. On Monday, 
I suppose, you will be going to Streatham, to see 
quiet Mr. Hill and eat very bad baker's bread. 

A fall in bread by the by. I hope my 
mother's bill next week will show it. I have had 
a very comfortable letter from her, one of her 
foolscap sheets quite full of little home news. 
Anna was there the first of the two daj's. An 
Anna sent away and an Anna fetched are different 
things. Tliis will be an excellent time for Ben 
to jiay liis visit, now that we, the formidables, 
are absent. 

I did not mean to eat, but ]\Ir. Johncock has 
brought in the tray, so I must. I am all alone. 
Edward is gone into his woods. At this present 
time I have five tables, eight-and-twenty chairs, 
and two fires all to myself. 

Miss Clewes is to be invited to go to the concert 
with us; there will be my brother's place and 
ticket for her, as he cannot go. He and the other 
connections of the Cages are to meet at Milgate 
that very day, to consult about a proposed altera- 
tion of the Maidstone road, in which the Cages 
are very much interested. Sir Brook comes here 
in the morning, and they are to be joined by Mi*. 
Deedes at Ashford. The loss of the concert will 
be no great evil to the Squii-e. We shall be a 
party of three ladies therefore, and to meet three 
ladies. 



181.3] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 237 

What a convenient carriage Henry's is, to his 
friends in general! Who has it next? I am 
glad William's going is voluntary, and on no 
worse grounds. An inclination for the country 
is a venial fault. He has more of Cowper than of 
Johnson in him, — fonder of tame hares and blank 
verse than of the full tide of human existence at 
Charing Cross. 

Oh! I have more of such sweet flattery from 
Miss Sharp. She is an excellent kind friend. I 
am read and admired in Ireland too. There is a 
Mrs. Fletcher, the wife of a judge, an old lady, 
and very good and very clever, who is all curiosity 
to know about me, — what I am like, and so forth. 
I am not known to her by name, however. This 
comes through IVErs. Carrick, not through Mrs. 
Gore. You are quite out there. 

I do not despair of having my picture in the 
Exhibition at last, — all white and red, with my 
head on one side; or perhaps I may marry young 
Mr. D'Arblay. I suppose in the mean time I 
shall owe dear Henry a great deal of money for 
printing, etc. 

I hope Mrs. Fletcher will indulge herself with 
S. and S. If I am to stay in H. S., and if 
you should be writing home soon, I wish you 
would be so good as to give a hint of it, for I am 
not likely to write there again these ten days, 
having written 3'esterday. 



238 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

Fanny has set her heart upon its being a Mr. 
Brett who is going to marry a Miss Dora Best, of 
this country. I dare say Henry has no objection. 
Pray, where did the boys sleep? 

The Deedes come here on Monday to stay till 
Friday, so that we shall end with a flourish the 
last canto. They bring Isabella and one of the 
grown-ups, and will come in for a Canty, ball on 
Thursday. I shall be glad to see them. Mrs. 
Deedes and I must talk rationally together, I 
suppose. 

Edward does not write to Henry, because of 

my writing so often. God bless you. I shall be 

so glad to see you again, and I wish you many 

happy returns of this day. Poor Lord Howard! 

How he does cry about it! 

Yours very truly, J. A. 

Mis.s AusTEX, 

10 Henrietta Street, Coveiit Garden, Loudou. 

Lir. 

GoDMERSHAM Pakk, Saturday (Nov. 6). 

My dearest Cassandra, — Having half an 
hour before breakfast (very snug, in my own 
room, lovely morning, excellent fire — fancy me!) 
I will give you some account of the last tw^o days. 
And yet, what is there to be told? I shall get 
foolishly minute unless I cut the matter short. 

We met only the Bretons at Chilham Castle, 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 239 

besides a Mr. and Mrs. Osborne and a Miss Lee 
staying in the house, and were only fourteen al- 
together. My brother and Fanny thought it the 
pleasantest party they had ever known there, and 
I was very well entertained by bits and scraps. I 
had long wanted to see Dr. Breton, and his wife 
amuses me very much with her affected refinement 
and elegance. Miss Lee I found very conversable; 
she admires Crabbe as she ought. She is at an 
age of reason, ten years older than myself at least. 
She was at the famous ball at Chilham Castle, so 
of course you remember her. 

By the by, as I must leave off being young, I 
find many douceiirs in being a sort of cJiapevon, 
for I am put on the sofa near the fire, and can 
drink as much wine as I like. We had music in 
the evening: Fanny and Miss Wildman played, 
and Mr. 'James Wildman sat close by and lis- 
tened, or pretended to listen. 

Yesterday was a day of dissipation all through : 
first came Sir Brook to dissipate us before break- 
fast; then there was a call from Mr. Sherer, then 
a regular morning visit from Lady Honeywood in 
her way home from Eastwell; then Sir Brook 
and Edward set off; then we dined (five in num- 
ber) at half-past four; then we had coffee; and at 
six Miss CI ewes, Fanny, and I drove away. We 
had a beautiful night for our frisks. We were 
earlier than we need have been, but after a time 



240 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

Lady B. and her two companions appeared, — we 
had kept places for them ; and there we sat, all 
six in a row, under a side wall, I between Lucy 
Foote and Miss Clewes. 

Lady B. was much what I expected; I could not 
determine whether she was rather handsome or 
very plain. I liked her for being in a hurry to 
have the concert over and get awaj^, and for get- 
ting away at last with a great deal of decision and 
promptness, not waiting to compliment and dawdle 
and fuss about seeing dear Fanny, who was half 
the evening in another jiart of the room with her 
friends the Plumptres. I am growing too minute, 
so I will go to breakfast. 

When the concert was over, Mrs. Harrison and 
I found each other out, and had a very comfortable 
little complimentary friendly chat. She is a sweet 
woman, — still quite a sweet woman in herself, and 
so like her sister! I could almost have thought I 
was speaking to Mrs. Lefroy. She introduced me 
to her daughter, whom I think pretty, but most 
dutifull_y inferior to la Mere Beaute. The Faggs 
and the Hammonds were there, — Wm. Hammond 
the only young man of renown. Miss looked very 
handsome, but I prefer her little smiling flirting 
sister Julia. 

I was just introduced at last to Mary Pluniptre, 
but I should hardly know her again. She was de- 
lighted with me, however, good enthusiastic soul! 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 241 

And Lady B. found me hand.somer than she ex- 
pected, so you see I am not so very bad as you 
might think for. 

It was twelve before we reached home. We were 
all dog-tired, but pretty well to-day: Miss Clewes 
says she has not caught cold, and Fanny's does not 
seem worse. I was so tired that I began to wonder 
how I should get through the ball next Thursday; 
but there will be so much more variety then in 
walking about, and probably so much less heat, 
that perhaps I may not feel it more. My china 
crape is still kept for the ball. Enough of the 
concert. 

I had a letter from IVIary 3"esterday. They trav- 
elled down to Cheltenham last Monday very safely, 
and are certainly to be there a month. Bath is 
still Bath. The H. Bridges must quit them early 
next week, and Louisa seems not quite to despair 
of their all moving together, but to those who 
see at a distance there appears no chance of it. 
Dr. Parrj" does not want to keep Lady B. at Bath 
when she can once move. That is lucky. You 
will see poor Mr. Evelyn's death. 

Since I wrote last, my 2nd edit, has stared me 
in the face. Mary tells me that Eliza means to 
buy it. I wish she may. It can hardly depend 
upon any more Fyfield Estates. I cannot help hop- 
ing that many will feel themselves obliged to 
bu}' it. I shall not mind imagining it a disagree- 



242 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

able duty to them, so as they do it. Mary heard 
before she left hoiiie that it was very much ad- 
mired at Cheltenham, and that it was given to 
Miss Hamilton. It is pleasant to have such a re- 
spectable writer named. I cannot tire you, I am 
sure, on this subject, or I would apologize. 

What weather, and what news! We have 
enough to do to admire them both. I hope you 
derive your full share of enjoyment from each. 

I have extended my lights and increased my 
acquaintance a good deal within these two days. 
Lady Honey wood you know; I did not sit near 
enough to be a perfect judge, but I thought her 
extremely pretty, and her manners have all the 
recommendations of ease and good-humor and 
unaffectedness ; and going about with four horses 
and nicely dressed herself, she is altogether a 
perfect sort of woman. 

Oh, and I saw Mr. Gipps last night, — the use- 
ful Mr. Gipps, whose attentions came in as accept- 
ably to us in handing us to the carriage, for want 
of a better man, as they did to Emma Plumptre. 
I thought him rather a good-looking little man. 

I long for your letter to-morrow, particularly 
that I may know my fate as to London. My first 
wish is that Henry should really choose what he 
likes best ; I shall certainly not be sorry if he does 
not want me. Morning church to-morrow; I 
shall come back with impatient feelings. 



1813.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 243 

The Sherers are gone, but the Pagets are not 
come: we shall therefore have Mr. S. again. Mr. 
Paget acts like an unsteady man. Dr. Hant, 
however, gives him a very good character; what 
is wrong is to be imputed to the lad}'. I dare say 
the house likes female government. 

I have a nice long black and red letter from 
Charles, but not communicating much that I did 
not know. 

There is some chance of a good ball next week, 
as far as females go. Lady Bridges may perhaps 
be there with some Knatchbulls. ' Mrs. Harrison 
perhaps, with Miss Oxenden and the Miss Papillons ; 
and if Mrs. Harrison, then Lady Fagg will come. 

The shades of evening are descending, and I 
resume my interesting narrative. Sir Brook and 
my brother came back about four, and Sir Brook 
almost immediately set forward again to Good- 
nestone. We are to have Edwd. B, to-morrow, to 
pay Its another Sunday's visit, — the last, for more 
reasons than one; they all come home on the same 
day that we go. The Deedes do not come till 
Tuesday; Sophia is to be the comer. She is a 
disputable beauty that I want much to see. Lady 
Eliz. Hatton and Annamaria called here this 
morning. Yes, they called; but I do not think 
I can say anything more about them. They came, 
and they sat, and they went. 

Sunday. — Dearest Henry! What a turn he 



244 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1813. 

has for being ill, and what a thing bile is! This 
attack has probably been bronght on in part by 
his previous confinement and anxiety; but, how- 
ever it came, I hope it is going fast, and that you 
will be able to send a very good account of him on 
Tuesday. As I hear on Wednesday, of course I 
shall not expect to hear again on Friday. Perhaps 
a letter to Wrotham would not have an ill effect. 

We are to be off on Saturday before the post 
comes in, as Edward takes his own horses all the 
way. He talks of nine o'clock. We shall bait at 
Lenham. 

Excellent sweetness of you to send me such a 
nice long letter; it made its appearance, with one 
from my mother, soon after I and my impatient 
feelings walked in. How glad I am that 1 did 
what I did! I was only afraid that you might 
think the offer superfluous, but you have set my 
heart at ease. Tell Henry that I will stay with 
him, let it be ever so disagreeable to him. 

Oh, dear me! I have not time on paper for 
half that I want to say. There have been two 
letters from Oxford, — one from George yesterday. 
They got there very safely, — Edvvd. two hours 
behind the coach, having lost his way in leaving 
London. George writes cheerfully and quietly ; 
hopes to have Utterson's rooms soon; went to 
lecture on Wednesda}--, states some of his ex- 
penses, and concludes with saying, "I am afraid 



1813.] LETTEKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 245 

I shall be poor." I am glad he thinks about it so 
soon. I believe there is no private tutor yet 
chosen, but my brother is to hear from Edwd, on 
the subject shortly. 

You, and Mrs. H., and Catherine, and Alethea 
going about together in Henry's carriage seeing 
sights — I am not used to the idea of it yet. All 
that you are to see of Streatham, seen already! 
Your Streatham and my Bookham may go hang. 
The prospect of being taken down to Chawton by 
Henry perfects the plan to me. I was in hopes of 
your seeing some illuminations, and you have 
seen them. "I thought you would come, and 
you did come," I am sorry he is not to come 
from the Baltic sooner. Poor Mary! 

My brother has a letter from Louisa to-day of 
an unwelcome nature; they are to spend the 
winter at Bath. It was just decided on. Dr. 
Parry wished it, not from thinking the water 
necessary to Lady B., but tliat he might be better 
able to judge how far his treatment of her, which 
is totally different from anything she had been 
used to, is right; and I suppose he will not mind 
having a few more of her Ladyship's guineas. 
His system is a lowering one. He took twelve 
ounces of blood from her when the gout appeared, 
and forbids wine, etc. Hitherto the plan agrees 
with her. She is very well satisfied to stay, but 
it is a sore disappointment to Louisa and Fanny. 



246 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

The H. Bridges leave tliem on Tuesday, and 
tliey mean to move into a smaller house; you may 
guess how Edward feels. There can be no doubt 
of his going to Bath now; I should not wonder if 
he brought Fanny Cage back with him. 

You shall hear from me once more, some day 
or other. 

Yours very affectionately, J. A. 

We do not like Mr. Hanipson's scheme. 

Miss ArsTEN, 

10 Ileuiietta Street, Coveut Garden, Loudon. 

LIII. 

Henrietta St., Wednesday (March 2, 1814). 
We had altogether a very good journey, and 
everything at Cobham was comfortable. I could 
not pay Mr. Harrington! That was the only 
alas! of the busiftess. I shall therefore return 
his bill, and my mother's 21., that you may try 
your luck. We did not begin reading till Bentley 
Green. Henry's approbation is hitherto even 
equal to my wishes. He says it is different from 
the other two, but does not appear to think it 
at all inferior. He has only married Mrs. E,.^ I 
am afraid he has gone through the most entertain- 
ing part. He took to Lady B. and Mrs. N.^ most 

1 Mrs. Kushworth in " ^[ansfiel(l Park." 
- Ladv Bertram and Mrs. Norris. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 247 

kindly, and gives great praise to the drawing of 
the characters. He understands them all, likes 
Fanny, and, I think, foresees how it will all be. 
I finished the ''Heroine" last night, and was 
very much amused hy it. I wonder James did 
not like it better. It diverted me exceedingly. 
We went to bed at ten. I was very tired, but 
slept to a miracle, and am lovely to-day, and at 
])resent Henry seems to have no complaint. We 
left Cobham at half-past eight, stopped to bait and 
breakfast at Kingston, and were in this house 
considerably before two. Nice smiling Mr. Bar- 
lowe met us at the door, and, in reply to inquiries 
after news, said that peace was generally expected. 
I have taken possession of my bedroom, unpacked 
my bandbox, sent Miss P.'s two letters to the 
twopenny post, been visited by M*^- B., and am 
now writing by m3'self at the new table in the 
front room. It is snowing. We had some snow- 
storms yesterday, and a smart frost at night, 
which gave us a hard road from Cobham to King- 
ston ; but as it was then getting dirty and heavy, 
Henry had a pair of leaders put on to the bottom 
of Sloane St. His own horses, therefore, cannot 
have had hard work. I watched for veils as we drove 
through the streets, and had the pleasure of see- 
ing several upon vulgar heads. And now, how 
do you all do? — you in particular, after the worry 
of yesterda}' and the day before. I hope Martha 



243 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

had a pleasant visit again, and that you and my 
niotlier could eat your beef-pudding. Depend upon 
my thinking of the chimney-sweeper as soon as I 
wake to-morrow. Places are secured at Drury 
Lane for Saturday, but so great is the rage for 
seeing Kean that only a third and fourtli roAv 
could be got; as it is in a front box, however, I 
hope we shall do pretty well — Shylock, a good 
play for Fanny — she cannot be much affected, I 
think. Mrs. Perigord has just been here. She 
tells me that we owe her master for the silk-dye- 
ing. My poor old muslin has never been dyed 
yet. It has been promised to be done scA-eral 
times. What wicked people dyers are! They 
begin with dipping their own souls in scarlet 
sin. It is evening. We have draidc tea, and I 
have torn through the third vol. of the ''Heroine." 
I do not think it falls off. It is a delightful 
burlesque, jjarticularly on the Ivadcliffe style. 
Henry is going on with " Mansiicld Park." He 
admires H. Crawford: I mean })roperly, as a 
clever, pleasant man. I tell you all the good I 
can, as I know how much you will enjoy it. We 
hear that Mr. Kean is more admired than ever. 
There are no good2)laces to be got in Drury Lane for 
the next fortnight, but Henry mt-ans to secure 
some for Saturday fortnight, when you are reck- 
oned upon. Give my love to little Cass. I hope 
she found my bed comfortable last night. I have 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 249 

seen nobody in London _yet with sucli a long chin 

as Dr. Syntax, nor anybody quite so large as 

Gogmagolicus. 

Yours aff'y, J. Austen. 



LIV. 

Henrietta St , Wednesday (March 9). 

Well, we went to the jday again last night, 
and as we were out a great part of the morning 
too, shopping, and seeing the Indian jugglers, 
I am very glad to be quiet now till dressing-time. 
We are to dine at the Tilsons', and to-morrow at 
Mr. Spencer's. 

We had not done breakfast yesterday when 
Mr. J. Plumptre appeared to say that he had se- 
cured a box. Henry asked him to dine hero, 
which I fancy he was very happy to do, and so 
at five o'clock we four sat down to table together, 
while the master of the house was preparing for 
going out himself. The ^'Farmer's Wife" is a 
musical thing in three acts, and as Edward was 
steady in not staying for anything more, we were 
at home before ten. 

Fanny and Mr. J. P. are delighted with Miss 
S., and her merit in singing is, I dare say, very 
great; that she gave me no pleasure is no re- 
flection upon her, nor, T hope, upon myself, being 
what Nature made me on that article. All that 



250 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, [1814. 

I am sensible of in Miss S. is a pleasing person 
and no skill in acting. We had Matliews, Liston, 
and Emery; of course, some amusement. 

Our friends were off before half-past eight this 
morning, and had the prospect of a heavy cold 
journey before them. I think they both liked 
their visit very much. I am sure Fanny did. 
Henry sees decided attachment between her and 
his new acquaintance. 

I have a cold, too, as well as my mother and 
Martha. Let it be a generous emulation between 
us which can get rid of it first. 

I wear mj^ gauze gown to-da_y, long sleeves and 
all. I shall see how they succeed, but as yet I 
have no reason to suppose long sleeves are allow- 
able. I have lowered tho bosom, especially at 
the corners, and plaited black satin ribbon round 
the top. Such will be my costume of vine-leaves 
and paste. 

Prepare for a play the very first evening, I 
ratlier think Covent Garden, to see Young in 
''Richard." 1 have answered for your little com- 
panion's being conveyed to Keppel St. immedi- 
ately. I have never yet been able to get there 
myself, but hope I shall soon. 

What cruel weather this is! and here is Lord 
Portsmouth married, too, to Miss Hanson.-' 

1 His second wife. He died in 185.3, and was succeeded 
by his brother, the father of the present earl. 



1814] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 251 

Henry has finished "Mansfield Park," and his 
approbation has not lessened. He found the last 
half of the last volume extremely interesting. 

I suppose my mother recollects that she gave 
me no money for paying Brecknell and Twining, 
and my funds will not supply enough. 

We are home in such good time that I can 
finish my letter to-night, which will be better 
than getting up to do it to-morrow, especially as, 
on account of my cold, which has been very heavy 
in my head this evening, I rather think of lying 
in bed later tlian usual. I would not but be well 
enough to go to Hertford St. on any account. 

We met only Genl. Chowne to-day, who has 
not much to say for himself. I was ready to 
laugh at the remembrance of Frederick, and such 
a different Frederick as we chose to fancy him to 
the real Christopher! 

Mrs. Tilson had long sleeves, too, and she as- 
sured me that they are worn in the evening by 
many. I was glad to hear this. She dines here, 
I believe, next Tuesday. 

On Friday we are to be snug with only Mr. 

Barlowc and an evening of business. I am so 

pleased that the mead is brewed. Love to all. 

I have written to Mrs. Hill, and care for nobody. 

Yours affectionately, J. Austen. 

Miss Austen, Chawton. 
By favor of INIr. Gray. 



252 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 



LV. 

Chawton, Tuesday (June 13). 

My dearest Cassandra, — Fanny takes my 
mother to Alton this morning, which gives me an 
opportunity of sending you a few lines without 
any other trouble than that of writing them. 

This is a delightful day in the country, and I 
hope not much too hot for town. Well, you had 
a good journey, I trust, and all that, and not rain 
enovigh to spoil your bonnet. It appeared so 
likely to be a wet evening that I went up to the 
Gt. House between three and four, and dawdled 
away an hour very comfortably', though Edwd. was 
not very brisk. The air was clearer in the even- 
ing, and he was better. We all five walked to- 
gether into the kitchen garden and along the 
Gosport road, and they drank tea with us. 

You will be glad to hear that G. Turner has 
another situation, something in the cow line, near 
Rumsey, and he Avishes to move immediately, 
which is not likely to be inconvenient to any- 
body. 

The new nurseryman at Alton comes this morn- 
ing to value the crops in the garden. 

The only letter to-day is from Mrs. Cooke to 
me. They do not leave home till Jul\', and want 
me to come to them, according to my i)romise. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 253 

And, after considering everything, I have resolved 
on going. My companions promote it. I will not 
go, however, till after Edward is gone, that he 
may feel he has a somebody to give memorandums 
to, to the last. I must give up all help from his 
carriage, of course. And, at any rate, it must be 
such an excess of expense that I have quite made 
up my mind to it, and do not mean to care. 

I have been thinking of Triggs and the chair, 
you may be sure, but T know it will end in post- 
ing. They will meet me at Guildford. 

In addition to their standing claims on me they 
admire "Mansfield Park" exceedingly. Mr. 
Cooke says "it is the most sensible novel he ever 
read," and the manner in which I treat the clergj^ 
delights them very much. Altogether, I must 
go, and I w^ant you to join me there when your 
visit in Henrietta St. is over. Put this into your 
capacious head. 

Take care of yourself, and do not be trampled 
to death in running after the Emperor. The re- 
port in Alton yesterday was that they would cer- 
tainly travel this road either to or from Ports- 
mouth. I long to know what this bow of the 
Prince's will produce. 

I saw Mrs. Andrews yesterday. Mrs. Browning 
had seen her before. She is very glad to send an 
Elizabeth. 

Miss Benn continues the same. Mr. Curtis, 



254 LETTEES OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

however, saw lier j-esterdiiy, and said lier hand 

was going on as well as possible. Accept our 

best love. 

Yours very affectionately, 

J. Austen. 
Miss Austen, 10 Henrietta Street, 
By favor of Mr. Gjsay. 



LVI. 

TiuTRSDAY (June 23). 

Dearest Cassandra, — I received your prettj'^ 
letter while the children were drinking tea with us, 
as Mr. Louch was so obliging as to walk over 
with it. Your good account of everybody made 
us very happy. 

I heard yesterday from Prank. When he began 
his letter he hoped to be here on Monday, but 
before it was ended he had been told that the 
naval review would not take place till Friday, 
which would probably occasion him some delay, 
as he cannot get some necessary business of his 
own attended to while Portsmouth is in such a 
bustle. I hope Fanny has seen the Emperor, 
and then I may fairly wish them all awa_y. I 
go to-morrow, and hope for some delays and 
adventures. 

My mother's wood is brought in, but, by some 
mistake, no bavins. She must therefore buy 
some. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 255 

Henry at White's! Oh, what a Henry! I do 
not know what to wish as to Miss B., so I will 
hold my tongue and my wishes. 

Sackree and the children set off yesterday, and 
have not been returned back upon us. They were 
all very well the evening before. We had hand- 
some presents from the Gt. House yesterdaj^, — a 
ham and the four leeches. Sackree has left some 
shirts of her master's at the school, which, finished 
or unfinished, she begs to have sent by Henry and 
Wm. Mr. Hinton is expected home soon, which 
is a good thing for the shirts. 

We have called upon Miss Dusantoy and Miss 
Papillon, and been very pretty. Miss D. has a 
great idea of being Fanny Price, — she and her 
youngest sister together, who is named Fanny. 

Miss Benn has drank tea wath the Prowtings, 
and, I believe, comes to us this evening. She has 
still a swelling about the forefinger and a little 
discharge, and does not seem to be on the point of 
a perfect cure, but her spirits are good, and she 
will be most happy, I believe, to accept any invi- 
tation. The Clements are gone to Petersfield to 
look. 

Only think of the Marquis of Granby being 
dead. I hope, if it please Heaven there should 
be another son, they will have better sponsors and 
less parade. 

I certainly do no: wish that Henry should think 



256 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

again of getting me to town. I would rather 
return straight from Bookham; but if he really 
does propose it, I cannot sa}^ No to what will be 
so kindly intended. It could be but for a few 
days, however, as my mother would be quite disap- 
pointed by my exceeding tlie fortnight which I 
now talk of as the outside — at least, we could 
not both remain longer away comfortably. 

The middle of July is Martha's time, as far as 
she has any time. She has left it to Mrs. Craven 
to fix the day. I wish she could get lier money 
paid, for I fear her going at all depends upon 
that. 

Instead of Bath the Deans Dundases have taken 
a house at Clifton — Richmond Terrace — and she 
is as glad of the change as even you and I should 
be, or almost. She will now be able to go on 
from Berks and visit them without any fears from 
heat. 

This post has brought me a letter from Miss 
Sharpe. Poor thing! she has been suffering in- 
deed, but is now in a comparative state of comfort. 
She is at Sir W. P.'s, in Yorkshire, with the 
children, and there is no appearance of her quit- 
ting them. Of course we lose the pleasure of see- 
ing her here. She writes highly of Sir Wm. I 
do so want him to marry her. There is a Dow. 
Lady P. presiding there to make it all right. 
The Man is the same; but she does not mention 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 257 

what he is by profession or trade. She does not 
think Lady P. was privy to his scheme on her, 
but, on being in his power, yielded. Oh, Sir 
Wni. ! Sir Wm. ! how I will love you if you will 
love Miss Sharpe! 

Mrs. Driver, etc., are off by Collier, but so near 
being too late that she liad not time to call and 
leave the keys herself. I have them, however. I 
suppose one is the key of the linen-press, but I do 
not know what to guess the other. 

The coach was stopped at the blacksmith's, and 
they came running down with Triggs and Brown- 
ing, and trunks, and birdcages. Quite amusing. 

My mother desires her love, and hopes to hear 
from you. 

Yours very affectionately, 

J. AUSTEX. 

Frank and Mary are to have Mary Goodchild 
to help as Under till they can get a cook. She is 
delighted to go. 

Best love at Streatham. 

Miss Austen, Henrietta St. 
\iy favor of Mr. Gray. 

LVII. 
23 Hans Place, Tuesday moruing (August, 1814). 
My dear Cassandra, — I had a very good 
journey, not crowded, two of the three taken up 

at Bentley being children, the others of a reasona- 

17 



258 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

ble size; and they were all very quiet and civil. 
We were late in London, from being a great load, 
and from changing coaches at Farnham; it was 
nearly four, I believe, Avhen we reached Sloane 
Street. Henry himself met me, and as soon as 
my trunk and basket could be routed out from all 
the other trunks and baskets in the world, we 
were on our way to Hans Place in the luxury of a 
nice, large, cool, dirty hackney coach. 

There were four in the kitchen part of Yalden, 
and I was told fifteen at top, among them Percy 
Benn. We met in the same room at Egham, but 
poor Percy was not in his usual spirits. He would 
be more chatty, I dare say, in his way from Wool- 
wich. We took up a young Gibson at Holybourn, 
and, in short, everj'body either did come up by 
Yalden yesterday, or wanted to come up. It put 
me in mind of my own coach between Edinburgh 
and Stirling. 

Henry is very well, and has given me an account 
of the Canterbury races, which seem to have been 
as pleasant as one could wish. Everything went 

well. Fanny had good partners, Mr. was her 

second on Thursday, but he did not dance with 
her any more. 

This will content you for the present. I must 
just add, however, that tliere were no Lady Char- 
lottes, they were gone off to Kirby, and that Mary 
Oxenden, instead of dying, is going to marry Wm. 
Hammond. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 259 

No James and Edward j'et. Our evening yes- 
terday was perfectly quiet; we only talked a little 
to Mr. Tilson across the intermediate gardens; she 
was gone out airing with Miss Burdett. It is a 
delightful place, — more than answers my expecta- 
tion. Having got rid of my unreasonable ideas, I 
find more space and comfort in the rooms than 
I had supposed, and the garden is quite a love. I 
am in the front attic, which is the bedchamber to 
be preferred. 

Henry wants you to see it all, and asked 
whether you wovild return with him from Hamp- 
shire; I encouraged him to think you would. He 
breakfasts here early, and then rides to Henrietta 
St. If it continues fine, John is to drive me 
there by and by, and we shall take an airing to- 
gether; and I do not mean to take any other exer- 
cise, for I feel a little tired after my long jumble. 
I live in his room downstairs; it is particularly 
pleasant from opening upon the garden. I go and 
refresh myself ever}- now and then, and then come 
back to solitary coolness. There is one maidser- 
vant only, a very creditable, clean-looking young 
woman. Richard remains for the present. 

Wednesday/ mornmg. — My brother and Edwd. 
arrived last night. They could not get places the 
day before. Their business is about teeth and 
wigs, and they are going after breakfast to Scar- 
man's and Tavistock St., and they are to return 



260 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814 

to go with me afterwai'Js in the barouche. I hope 
to do some of my errands to-day. 

I got the willow yesterda}^, as Henry was not 
quite ready when I reached Hena. St. I saw Mr. 
Hampson there for a moment. He dines here to- 
morrow, and proposed bringing his son; so I must 
submit to seeing George Hampson, though I liad 
hoj)ed to go through life without it. It was one of 
my vanities, like your not reading ''Patronage." 

After leaving H. St. we drove to Mrs. La- 
touche's; they are always at home, and they are 
to dine here on Friday. We could do no more, as 
it began to rain. 

We dine at half-past four to-day, that our 
A'isitors may go to the play, and Henry and I are 
to spend the evening Avith the Tilsons, to meet 
Miss Burnett, who leaves town to-morrow. Mrs. 
T. called on me yesterday. 

Is not this all that can have happened or been 
arranged? Not quite. Henry wants me to see 
more of his Hanwell favorite, and has written to 
invite her to spend a day or two here with me. 
His scheme is to fetch her on Saturday. I am 
more and more convinced that he will marry again 
soon, and like the idea of her better than of any- 
body else at hand. 

Now I have breakfasted and have the room 
to myself again. It is likely to be a fine day. 
How do you all do? 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 261 

Henry talks of being at Chawton about the 
1st of Sept. He has once mentioned a scheme 
which I should rather like, — calling on the Birches 
and the Crutchleys in our way. It may never 
come to anything, but I must provide for the 
possibility by troubling j^ou to send up my silk 
pelisse by Collier on Saturday'. I feel it would be 
necessaty on such an occasion, and be so good as to 
put up a clean dressing-gown which will come from 
the wash on Fridaj'. You need not direct it to be 
left anywhere. It may take its chance. 

We are to call for Henry between three and 
four, and I must finish this and carry it with me, 
as he is not always there in the morning before the 
i^arcel is made up. And before I set off, I must 
return Mrs. Tilson's visit. I hear nothing of the 
Hoblyns, and abstain from all inquiry'. 

I hope Mary Jane and Frank's gardens go on 
well. Give my love to them all — Nunna Hat's 
love to George. A great many j)eople wanted to 
run up in the Poach as well as me. The wheat 
looked very well all the wa}', and James says the 
same of his road. 

The same good account of Mrs. C.'s health con- 
tinues, and her circumstances mend. She gets 
farther and farther from poverty. What a com- 
fort! Good-by to you. 

Yours very truly and affectionately, 

Jane. 



262 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

All well at Steventon. I hear nothing particular 

of Ben, except that Edward is to get him somo 

pencils. 

Miss Austen, Chawton. 
By favor of Mr. Gkay. 



LVIII. 

My dear Anna,^ — I am very much obliged to 
you for sending your M8. It has entertained me 
extremely; indeed all of us. I read it aloud to 
your grandmamma and Aunt Cass, and we w^ere all 
very much pleased. The spirit does not droop at 
all. Sir Thos., Lady Helen, and St. Julian are 
very well done, and Cecilia continues to be in- 
teresting in spite of her being so amiable. It was 
very fit you should advance her age. I like the 
beginning of Devereux Forester very much, a 
great deal better than if he had been very good or 
very bad. A few verbal corrections are all that I 
felt tempted to make; the principal of them is a 
speech of St. Julian to Lady Helen, which you 
see I have presumed to alter. As Lady H. is 
Cecilia's superior, it would not be correct to talk of 
her being introduced. It is Cecilia who must be 
introduced. And I do not like a lover speaking 
in the 3rd person; it is too much like the jiart of 

1 Mi.«s Anna Austen, at tliis time engaged to Mr. Lefroy, 
was writing a novel which she seat to her aunt for criticism. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 263 

Lord Overtley, and I tliiiik it not natural. If you 
think differently, however, you need not mind me. 
I am impatient for more, and only wait for a safe 
conveyance to return this. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. A. 

LIX. 

August 10, 1814. 

My dear Anna, — I am quite ashamed to find 
that I have never answered some question of yours 
in a former note. I kept it on purpose to refer to 
it at a proper time, and then forgot it, I like the 
name "Which is the Heroine" very well, and I 
dare say shall grow to like it very much in time; 
but ''Enthusiasm" was something so very supe- 
rior that my common title must appear to disad- 
vantage. I am not sertsible of any blunders 
about Dawlish; the library w^as pitiful and 
wretched twelve years ago, and not likely to have 
anybody's publications. There is no such title as 
Desborough, either among dukes, marquises, earls, 
viscounts, or barons. These were your inquiries. 
I will now thank you for your envelope received 
this morning. Your Aunt Cass is as well pleased 
with St. Julian as ever, and I am delighted with 
the idea of seeing Progillian again. 

Wednesdajj, 17. — We have now just finished the 
first of the three books I had the pleasure of re- 



264 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

ceiving yesterday. I read it aloud, and we are all 
very much amused, and like the work quite as 
well as ever. I depend on getting through 
another book before dinner, but there is really a 
good deal of respectable reading in your forty-eight 
pages. I have no doubt six would make a very 
good-sized volume. You must have been quite 
pleased to have accomplished so much. I like 
Lord Portman and his brother very much. I 
am only afraid that Lord P.'s good nature will 
make most people like him better than he deserves. 
The whole family are very good; and Lady Anne, 
who was your great dread, you have succeeded 
particularly well with. Bell Griffin is just what 
she should be. My corrections have not been 
more important than before; here and there we 
have thought the sense could be expressed in fewer 
words, and I have scratched out Sir Thos. from 
walking with the others to the stables, etc. the 
very day after breaking his arm; for though I 
find your papa did walk out immediately after his 
arm was set, I think it can be so little usual as 
to appear unnatural in a book. Lynn will not 
do. Lynn is towards forty miles from Dawlish 
and would not be talked of there. I have put 
Starcross instead. If you prefer Easton, that must 
be alwa3^s safe, 

I have also scratched out the introduction be- 
tween Lord Portman and his brother and Mr. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 265 

Griffin. A country surgeon (don't tell Mr. C. 
Lyforcl) would not be introduced to men of their 
rank; and when Mr. P. is first brought in, he 
would not be introduced as the Honorable. That 
distinction is never mentioned at such times; at 
least, I believe not. Now we have finished the 
second book, or rather the fifth. I do think you 
had better omit Lady Helena's postscript. To 
those that are acquainted with "Pride and Preju- 
dice " it will seem an imitation. And your Aunt 
C. and I both recommend your making a little 
alteration in the last scene between Devereux F. 
and Lady Clanmurray and her daughter. We 
think they press him too much, more than sensible 
or well-bred women would do; Lady C, at least, 
should have discretion enough to be sooner satisfied 
with his determination of not going with them. I 
am very much pleased with Egerton as yet. I did 
not expect to like him, but I do, and Susan is a 
very nice little animated creature; but St. Julian 
is the delight of our lives. He is quite interest- 
ing. The whole of his break-off with Lady Helena 
is very well done. Yes; Russell Square is a very 
proper distance from Berkeley Square. We are 
reading the last book. They must be two days 
going from Dawlish to Bath. They are nearly 
one hundred miles apart. 

Thursday. — We finished it last night after our 
return from drinking tea at the Great House. 



266 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

Tlie last cliapter does not jilease us quite so well; 
Ave do not thoroughly like the play, perhaps from 
having had too much of plays in that way lately 
(vide "Mansfield Park"), and we think 3^ou had 
better not leave England. Let the Portmans go 
to Ireland; but as you know nothing of the man- 
ners there, you had better not go with them. You 
will be in danger of giving false representations. 
Stick to Bath and the Foresters. There you will 
be quite at home. 

Your Aunt C. does not like desultory novels, 
and is rather afraid yours will be too much so, 
that there will be too frequently a change from 
one set of people to another, and that circum- 
stances will be introduced of ajiparent consequence 
Avhich will lead to nothing. It will not be so 
great an objection to me if it does. I allow much 
more latitude than she does, and think Nature and 
si)irit cover many sins of a wandering story, and 
})eople in general do not care so much about it for 
your comfort. 

I should like to have had more of Devereux. I 
do not feel enough acquainted with him. You 
were afraid of meddling with him, I dare say. I 
like your sketch of Lord Clanmurray, and your 
picture of the two young girls' enjoyment is 
very good. I have not noticed St. Julian's se- 
rious conversation with Cecilia, but I like it 
exceedingly. What he says about the madness 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 267 

of otherwise sensible women on the subject of 
their daughters coming out is worth its weight 
in gold. 

I do not perceive that the language sinks. 
Pray go on. 

LX. 

Chawton, Sept. 9. 
My dear Anna, — We have been very much 
amused by your three books, but I have a good 
many criticisms to make, more than you will like. 
We are not satisfied with Mrs. Forester settling 
herself as tenant and near neighbor to such a man 
as Sir Thomas, without having some other induce- 
ment to go there. She ought to have some fi'iend 
living thereabouts to tempt her. A woman going 
with two girls just growing up into a neighborhood 
where she knows nobody but one man of not very 
good character, is an awkwardness which so pru- 
dent a woman as Mrs. F. would not be likely to 
fall into. Eemember she is very prudent. You 
must not let her act inconsistently. Give her a 
friend, and let that friend be invited by Sir 
Thomas H. to meet her, and we shall have no 
objection to her dining at the Priory as she does; 
but otherwise a woman in her situation would 
hardly go there before she had been visited by 
other families. I like the scene itself, the Miss 
Leslie, Lady Anne, and the music very much. 



268 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [18)4. 

Leslie is a noble name. Sir Thomas H. you al- 
ways do very well. I have only taken the liberty 
of expunging one phrase of his which would not be 
allowable, — "Bless my heart! " It is too famil- 
iar and inelegant. Your grandmother is more 
disturbed at Mrs. Forester's not returning the 
Egertons' visit sooner than by anything else. 
They ought to have called at the Parsonage before 
Sunday. You describe a sweet place, but your 
descriptions are often more minute than will be 
liked. You give too many particulars of right 
hand and left. Mrs. Forester is not careful 
enough of Susan's health. Susan ought not to be 
walking out so soon after heavy rains, taking long 
walks in the dirt. An anxious mother would not 
suffer it. I like your Susan very much; she is a 
sweet creature, her playfulness of fancy is very 
delightful. I like her as she is now exceedingly, 
but I am not quite so well satisfied with her be- 
havior to George R. At first she seems all over 
attachment and feeling, and afterwards to have 
none at all; she is so extremely confused at the 
ball, and so well satisfied apparently with Mr. 
Morgan. She seems to have changed her character. 
You are now collecting your jjeople delight- 
full}^, getting them exactly into such a spot as is 
the delight of my life. Three or four families in 
a country village is the very thing to work on, 
and I hope you will do a great deal more, and 



1814] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 269 

make full use of thorn while they are so very 
favorably arranged. 

You are but now coming to the heart and 
beauty of j^our story. Until the heroine grows 
up the fun must be imperfect, but I expect a great 
deal of entertainment from the next three or four 
books, and I hope you will not resent these re- 
marks by sending me no more. We like the 
Egertons very well. We see no blue pantaloons 
or cocks or hens. There is nothing to enchant 
one certainly in Mr. L. L., bvit we make no ob- 
jection to him, and his inclination to like Susan 
is pleasing. The sister is a good contrast, but 
the name of Rachel is as much as I can bear. 
They are not so much like the Papillons as I 
expected. Your last chapter is very entertaining, 
the conversation on genius, etc. ; Mr. St. Julian 
and Susan both talk in character, and very well. 
In some former parts Cecilia is perhaps a little 
too solemn and good, but upon the whole her 
disposition is very well opposed to Susan's, her 
want of imagination is very natural. I wish you 
could make JNIrs. Forester talk more; but she 
must be difficult to manage and make entertain- 
ing, because there is so much good sense and 
propriety about her that nothing can be made very 
broad. Her economy and her ambition must not 
be staring. The papers left by Mrs. Fisher are 
very good. Of course one guesses something. I 



270 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

hojDe when you have Avritten a gi'eat deal more, 
you will be equal to scratching out some of the 
past. The scene with Mrs. Mellish I should con- 
demn; it is prosy and nothing to the purpose, 
and indeed the more you can find in your heart to 
curtail between Dawlish and Newton Priors, the 
better I think it will be, — one does not care for 
girls until they are grown up. Your Aunt C. 
quite understands the exquisiteness of that name, — 
Newton Priors is really a nonpareil. Milton would 
have given his eyes to have thought of it. Is not 
the cottage taken from Tollard Royal? 

[Thus far the letter was written on the 9th, but 
befiTO it was finished news arrived at Chawton of 
the death of Mrs. Charles Austen. She died in 
her confinement, and the baby died also. She 
left three little girls, — Cassie, Harriet, and 
Fanny. It was not until the 18th that Jane 
resumed her letter as follows : ^ ] 

Sunday. — I am very glad, dear Anna, that I 
■wrote as I did before this sad event occurred. I 
have only to add that your grandmamma does not 
seem the worse now for the shock. 

I shall be very happy to receive more of your 
work if more is ready; and you write so fast that 
I have great hopes Mr. Digweed will come back 
freighted with such a cargo as not all his hops or 
his sheep could equal the value of. 
1 Note bv Lord Brabourne. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN 271 

Your graudnianiraa desires me to say that she 
will have finished your slioes to-morrow, and 
thinks they will look very well. And that she 
depends upon seeing you, as you promise, before 
you quit the country, and hopes you will give her 
more than a day. 

Yours affectionately. J. Austen". 



LXI. 

Chawton, Wednesday (Sept 28). 
My bear Anna, — I hope you do not depend on 
having yoiir book again immediately. I kept it 
that your grandmamma may hear it, for it has 
not been possible yet to have any public reading. 
I have read it to your Aunt Cassandra, however, 
in our own room at night, while we undressed, 
and with a great deal of pleasure. We like the 
first chapter extremely, with only a little doubt 
whether Lady Helena is not almost too foolish. 
The matrimonial dialogue is very good certainly. 
I like Susan as well as ever, and begin now not 
to care at all about Cecilia; she may stay at 
Easton Court as long as she likes. Henry Hel- 
lish will be, I am afraid, too much in the common 
novel style, — a handsome, amiable, unexception- 
able young man (such as do not much abound in 
real life), desperately in love and all in vain. 
])ut I have no business to judge him so early. 



272 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

Jane Egerton is a very natural, comprehensible 
girl, and the whole of her acquaintance with 
Susan and Susan's letter to Cecilia are very pleas- 
ing and quite in character. But Miss Egerton 
does not entirely satisfy us. She is too formal 
and solemn, we thinh, in her advice to her 
brother not to fall in love; and it is hardly like a 
sensible woman, — it is putting it into his head. 
We should like a few hints from her better. We 
feel really obliged to you for introducing a Lady 
Kenrick; it will remove the greatest fault in the 
work, and I give you credit for considerable for- 
bearance as an author in adopting so much of our 
opinion. I expect high fun about Mrs. Fisher 
and Sir Thomas. You have been perfectly right 
in telling Ben. Lefroy of your work, and I am 
very glad to hear how much he likes it. His 
encouragement and approbation must be " quite 
beyond everything." -^ I do not at all wonder at 
his not expecting to like anj'body so well as 
Cecilia at first, but I shall be surjjrised if he does 
not become a Susanite in time. Devereux For- 
ester's being ruined bj^ his vanity is extremely 
good, but T wish you would not let him plunge 
into a " vortex of dissi2)ation." I do not object to 
the thing, but I cannot bear the expression; it 
is such thorough novel slang, and so old that I 

1 A phrase always iu the mouth of one of tlie Chawton 
neighbors, Mrs. H. Digweed. 



1814.] LETTERS UF JANE AUSTEN. 273 

dare say Adam met witli it in t]ie first novel he 
opened. Indeed, I did very much like to know 
Ben's opinion. I ho})e he will continue to be 
pleased with it, and I think he must, but I can- 
not flatter him with there being much incident. 
We have no great right to wonder at his not 
valuing the name of Progillian. That is a source 
of delight which even he can hardly be quite 
competent to. 

Walter Scott has no business to write novels, 
especially good ones. It is not fair. He has fame 
and profit enough as a poet, and sliould not be tak- 
ing the bread out of the mouths of other people. 

I do not like him, and do not mean to like 
"Waverley" if I can help it, but fear I must. 

I am quite determined, however, not to be pleased 
Avith Mrs. West's "Alicia De Lacy," should I ever 
meet with it, whicli I hope I shall not. I think 
I can be stout against anything written by Mrs. 
W^est. I have made up my mind to like no novels 
really but Miss Edgeworth's, yours, and my own. 

What can 3-011 do with Egorton to increase 

the interest for him? I wish you could contrive 

something, some family occurrence to bring out 

his good qualities more. Some distress among 

brothers and sisters to relieve by the sale of his 

curacy! Something to carry hini mysteriously 

away, and then be heard of at York or Edinburgh 

in an old greatcoat. I would not seriously ree- 
ls 



274 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

ommeiid anything improbable, but if jou could 
invent something spirited for him, it would have 
a good effect. He might lend all his money to 
Captain Morris, but then he would be a great fool 
if he did. Cannot the Morrises quarrel and he 
reconcile them? Excuse the liberty I take in 
these suggestions. 

Your Aunt Frank's nursemaid has just given 
her warning, but whether she is worth your 
having, or would take your place, I know not. 
She was Mrs. Webb's maid before she went to the 
Great House. She leaves your aunt because she 
cannot agree with the other servants. She is in 
love with the man, and her head seems rather 
turned. He returns her affection, but she fancies 
every one else is wanting him and envying her. 
Her previous service must have fitted her for such 
a place as yours, and she is very active and 
cleanly. The Webbs are really gone! When I 
saw the wagons at the door, and thought of all 
the trouble they must have in moving, I began to 
reproach myself for not having lilced them better; 
but since the wagons have disappeared my con- 
science has been closed again, and I am excessively 
glad they are gone. 

I am very fond of Sherlock's sermons, and pre- 
fer them to almost any. 

Your affectionate aunt, J. Austen. 

If you wish me to speak to the maid, let me know. 



18 U.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 275 

LXIT. 

To Miss Frances Austen. 

Chawton, Friday (Nov. 18, 1814). 
I FEEL quite as doubtful as you could be, my 
dearest Fanny, as to when my letter may be fin- 
ished, for I can command very little quiet time at 
present; but yet I must begin, for I know you will 
be glad to hear as soon as possible, and I really 
am impatient myself to be writing something on 
so very interesting a subject, though I have no 
hope of writing anything to the purpose. I shall 
do very little more, I dare say, than say over 
again what you have said before. 

I was certainly a good deal surprised at first, 
as I had no suspicion of any change in your feel- 
ings, and I have no scruple in saying that you 
cannot be in loA^e. My dear Fanny, I am ready to 
laugh at the idea, and yet it is no laughing mat- 
ter to haye had you so mistaken as to your OAvn 
feelings. And with all my heart I wish I had 
cautioned you on that point when first you spoke 
to me; but though I did not think you then much 
in love, I did consider you as being attached in a 
degree quite sufificiently for happiness, as I had no 
doubt it would increase with opportunity, and from 
the time of our being in London together I thought 
you really very much in love. But you certainly 
are not at all — there is no concealing it. 



276 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

What strange creatures we are! It seems as if 
your being secure of him had made you indifferent. 
There was a little disgust, I suspect, at the races, 
and I do not wonder at it. His expressions then 
would not do for one who had rather more acute- 
ness, penetration, and taste, than love, which was 
your case. And yet, after all, I am surprised that 
the change in your feelings should be so great. 
He is just what he ever was, only more evidently 
and uniformly devoted to you. This is all the 
difference. How shall we account for it? 

My deai'est Fanny, I am writing what will not 
be of the smallest use to you. I am feeling differ- 
ently every moment, and shall not be able to sug- 
gest a single thing that can assist your mind. I 
could lament in one sentence and laugh in the next, 
but as to opinion or counsel I am sure that none 
will be extracted worth having from this letter. 

I read yours through the very evening I re- 
ceived it, getting away by myself. I could not 
bear to leave off when I had once begun. 1 was 
full of curiosity and concern. Luckily your At. 
C. dined at the other house; therefore I had not 
to manoeuvre away from her, and as to anybody 
else, I do not care. 

Poor dear Mr. A. ! Oh, dear Faun}'! your mis- 
take has been one that thousands of women fall 
into. He was the first j^oung man who attached 
himself to you. That was the charm, and most 



1814.] LETTKKS OF JANE AUSTEN. 277 

powerful it is. Among the multitudes, however, 
tlmt make the same mistake with yourself, there 
can be few indeed who have so little reason to 
regret it; his character and his attachment leave 
you nothing to be ashamed of. 

Upon the whole, what is to be done? You 
have no inclination for any other person. His 
situation in life, family, friends, and, above all, his 
character, his uncommonly amiable mind, strict 
principles, just notions, good habits, all that you 
know so well how to value, all that is really of 
the first importance, — everything of this nature 
pleads his cause most strongly. You have no 
doubt of his having superior abilities, he has 
j^roved it at the University; he is, I dare say, 
such a scholar as your agreeable, idle brothers 
would ill bear a comparison with. 

Oh, my dear Framy! the more I write about 
him the warmer my feelings become, — the more 
strongly I feel the sterling worth of such a young 
man, and the desirableness of your growing in love 
with him again. I recommend this most thoroughly. 
There are such beings in the world, perhaps one in 
a thousand, as the creature you and I should think 
perfection, where grace and spirit are united to 
worth, where the manners are equal to the heart 
and understanding; but such a person may not 
come in your way, or, if he does, he may not be 
the eldest son of a man of fortune, the near rela- 



278 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

tion of your particular friend, and belonging to 
your own county. 

Think of all this, Fanny. Mr. A. has advan- 
tages which we do not often meet in one person. 
His only fault, indeed, seems modesty. If he were 
less modest, he would be more agreeable, speak 
louder, and look impudeuter; and is not it a tine 
character of which modesty is the only defect? 
I have no doubt he will get more lively and more 
like yourselves as he is more with you; he will 
catch your ways if he belongs to you. And as to 
there being any objection from his goodness, from 
the danger of his becoming even evangelical, I 
cannot admit that. I am by no means convinced 
that we ought not all to be evangelicals, and am 
ai least persuaded that they who are so from 
reason and feeling must be happiest and safest. 
Do not be frightened from the connection by your 
brothers having most wit, — wisdom is better than 
Avit, and in the long run will certainly have the 
laugh on her side; and don't be frightened b}' the 
idea of his acting more strictly up to the precepts 
of the New Testament than others. 

And now, my dear Fanny, having written so 
much on one side of the question, I shall turn 
round and entreat you not to commit yourself 
farther, and not to think of accepting him unless 
you really do like him. Anything is to be pre- 
ferred or endured rather than marrjang without 



1814] LETTEIJS OF JANE AUSTEN. 279 

affection ; and if liis deficiencies of manner, etc., etc., 
strike you more than ail his good qualities, if you 
continue to think strongly of them, give him up 
at once. Things are now in such a state that you 
must resolve upon one or the other, — either to allow 
him to go on as he has done, or whenever you are 
together behave with a coldness which may con- 
vince him that he has been deceiving himself. I 
have no doubt of his suffering a good deal for a 
time, — a great deal when he feels that he must give 
you up; but it is no creed of mine, as you must be 
well aware, that such sort of disappointments kill 
anybody. 

Your sending the music was an admirable 
device, it made everything easy, and I do not 
know how I could have accounted for the parcel 
otherwise; for though your dear papa most con- 
scientiously hunted about till he found me alone in 
the dining-parlor, your Aunt C. had seen that he 
had a parcel to deliver. As it was, however, I do 
not think anything was suspected. 

We have heard nothing fresh from Anna. I 
trust she is very comfortable in her new home. 
Her letters have been very sensible and satisfac- 
tory, with no parade of happiness, which I liked 
them the better for. I have often known young 
married women write in a way I did not like in 
that respect. 

You will be glad to hear that the first edition 



280 Li-yrxEus of jane austen. [isu. 

of M. P.' is all sold. Your Uncle Henry is rather 
Avanting me to come to town to settle about a 
second edition ; but as I could not very conveniently 
leave home now, I have written him my will and 
pleasure and unless he still urges it, shall not go, 
I am very greedy and want to nialce the most of 
it; but as you are much above caring about 
money, I shall not plague you with any particulars. 
The pleasures of vanity are more within your com- 
prehension, and you will enter into mine at receiv- 
ing the praise which every now and then comes to 
me through some channel or other. 

Saturday. — Mr. Palmer spent yesterday with 
us, and is gone off with Cassy this morning. "We 
have been expecting Miss Lloyd the last two days, 
and feel sure of her to-day. Mr. Knight and Mr. 
Edwd. Knight are to dine with us, and on Monday 
they are to dine with us again, accompanied by 
their respectable host and hostess. 

Sunday. — Your papa had given me messages to 
you; but they are unnecessary, as he writes by this 
post to Aunt Louisa. We had a pleasant party 
yesterday; at least we found it so. It is delightful 
to see him so cheerful and confident. Aunt Cass. 
and I dine at the Great House to-day. We shall 
be a snug half-dozen. Miss Lloyd came, as we ex- 
pected, yesterday, and desires her love. She is 
very happy to hear of your learning the harp. I 
1 " Mansfield P.irk." 



1814] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 281 

do not mean to send you what I owe Miss Hare, 

because I think you wouhl rather not be paid 

beforehand. 

Yours very affectionately, 

Jane Austen. 
Miss Knfght, 

Gooduestoue Farm, Wiugliani, Kent. 



LXIII 

CiiAWTON, Nov. 21, 1814. 

My dear Anna, — I met Harriet Benn j'ester- 
day. She gave me her congratulations, and desired 
they might be forwarded to you, and there they 
are. The chief news from this country is tho 
death of old Mrs. Dormer. Mrs. Clement walks 
about in a new black velvet pelisse lined with 
yellow, and a white bobbin net veil, and looks 
remarkably well in them. 

I think I understand the country about Hendon 

from your description. It must be very pretty in 

summer. Should you know from the atmosphere 

that you were within a dozen miles of London? 

Make everybody at Hendon admire "Mansfield 

Park." 

Your affectionate aunt, J. A. 



282 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 



LXIV. 

Hans Place, Nov. 28, 1814. 

My dear Anna, — I assure 3'ou we all came 
away A'ery mucli pleased with our visit. We 
talked of you for about a mile and a half with 
great satisfaction; and I have been just sending a 
very good report of you to Miss Benn, with a full 
account of your dress for Susan and Maria. 

We were all at the play last night to see Miss 
O'Neil in *' Isabella.'' I do not think she was quite 
equal to my expectations. I fancy I want some- 
thing more than can be. I took two pocket-hand- 
kerchiefs, but had very little occasion for either. 
She is an elegant creature, however, and hugs Mr. 
Young delightfully. I am going this morning to 
see the little girls in Keppel Street. Cassy was 
excessively interested about your marriage when 
she heard of it, which was not until she was to 
drink ^^our health on the wedding-day. 

She asked a thousand questions in her usual 
manner, what he said to you and what jou. said to 
him. If your uncle were at home he would send 
his best love, but I will not impose any base 
fictitious remembrances on j'ou; mine I can 
honestly give, and remain 

Your affectionate aunt, 

J. Austen. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JAXE AUSTEN. 283 



LXV. 

Hans Place, Wednesday. 
My dear Anna, — I have been very far from 
finding your book an evil, I assure you. I read 
it immediately and with great pleasure. I think 
3'ou are going on very well. The description 
of Dr. Griffin and Lady Helena's unhappiness is 
very good, and just what was likely to be. I am 
cui'ious to know what the end of them will be. 
The name of Newton Priors is really invaluable; I 
never met with anything superior to it. It is 
delightful, and one could live on the name of New- 
ton Priors for a twelvemonth. Indeed, I think 
you get on very fast. I only wish other people of 
my acquaintance could compose as rapidly. I am 
pleased with the dog scene and with the whole of 
George and Susan's love, but am more particularly 
struck with your serious conversations. They are 
very good throughout. St. Julian's history was 
quite a surprise to me. You had not very long 
known it yourself, I suspect; but I have no objec- 
tion to make to the circumstance, and it is very 
well told. His having been in love with the aunt 
gives Cecilia an additional interest with him. I 
like the idea, — a very proper compliment to an 
aunt! I rather imagine indeed that nieces are 
seldom chosen but out of compliment to some 



284 letti':rs of jane austen. [isu. 

aunt or another. I dare say Ben was in love with 
me once, and would never have thought of you if 
he had not supposed me dead of scarlet fever. 
Yes, I was in a mistake as to the number of books. 
I thought I had read three before the three at 
Chavvton, but fewer than six will not do. I want 
to see dear Bell Griffin again; and liad you not 
better give some hint of St. Julian's early liistory 
in the beginning of the story? 

We shall see nothing of Streatham while we 
are in town, as Mrs. Hill is to lie in of a daughter. 
Mrs. Blackstone is to be with her. Mrs. Heath- 
cote and Miss Bigg ^ are just leaving. The latter 
writes me word that Miss Blackford is married, 
but I have never seen it in the papers, and one 
may as well be single if the wedding is not to be 
in print. 

Your affectionate aunt, J. A. 



LXVI. 

23 Hans Place, Wednesday (Nov. 30, 181 1). 
I AM very much obliged to you, my dear Fanny, 
for y«ur letter, and 1 hope you will write again 
soon, that I may know you to be all safe and happy 
at home. 

Our visit to Hendon will interest you, I am sure; 
but I need not enter into the ^la-rticulars of it, as 
1 Sisters to Mrs. Hall. 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 285 

your papa will be able to answer almost every 
question. I certainly could describe her bedroom 
and her drawers and her closet better than he 
can, but I do not feel that I can stop to do it. I 
was rather sorry to hear that she is to have an in- 
strument; it seems throwing money awa3^ They 
will wish the twenty-four guineas in the shape of 
sheets and towels six months hence; and as to her 
playing, it never can be anything. 

Her purjjle pelisse rather surprised me. I 
thought we had known all paraphernalia of that 
sort. I do not mean to blame her; it looked very 
well, and I dare say she wanted it. I suspect 
nothing worse than its being got in secret, and not 
owned to anybod}-. I received a very kind note 
from her yesterday, to ask me to come again and 
stay a night with them. I cannot do it, but I was 
pleased to find that she had the power of doing so 
right a thing. My going was to give them both 
pleasure very properly. 

I just saw Mr. Hayter at the play, and think 
his face would please me on acquaintance. I was 
sorry he did not dine here. It seemed rather odd 
to me to be in the theatre with nobody to watch 
for. I was quite composed myself, at leisure for 
all the agitated Isabella could raise. 

Now, my dearest Faunj-, I will begin a subject 
■which comes in very naturally. You frighten me 
out of my wits by your reference. Your affection 



286 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

gives me the highest pleasui'e, bi;t indeed you must 
not let anything depend on my opinion; your own 
feelings, and none hut yoiir own, should determine 
such an important point. So far, however, as an- 
swering your question, I have no scruple. I am 
perfectly convinced that your present feelings, sup- 
posing you were to marry now, would he suffi- 
cient for his happiness; hut when I think how ver}-^, 
very far it is from a "now," and take everything 
that may he into consideration, I dare not say, 
''Determine to accept him;" the risk is too great 
for you, unless 3'our own sentiments prompt it. 

You will think me perverse, perhaps; in my last 
letter I was urging everything in his favor, and 
now I am inclining the other way, but I cannot 
help it; I am at present more imjn'essed with the 
possible evil that may arise to you from engaging 
yourself to him — in word or mind — than with 
anything else. When I consider how few young 
men you have yet seen much of, how capable you 
are (yes, I do still think you very capable) of 
being really in love, and how full of temptation 
the next six or seven years of your life will pro- 
bably be (it is the very period of life for the 
strongest attachments to be formed), — I cannot 
wish you, with your present very cool feelings, to 
devote j'ourself in honor to him. It is very true 
that you never may attach another man his equal 
altogether ; but if that other man has the power of 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 287 

attaching you more, he will be in your eyes the 
most perfect. 

I shall be glad if you can revive past feelings, 
and from jouv vinbiassed self resolve to go on as 
you have done, but this I do not expect; and with- 
out it I cannot wish you to be fettered. I should not 
be afraid of your marrying him; with all his 
worth 3^ou would soon love him enough for the 
hapjiiness of both; but I should dread the con- 
tinuance of this sort of tacit engagement, with 
such an uncertainty as there is of when it may be 
completed. Years may pass before he is inde- 
pendent; you like him well enough to marry, but 
not well enough to wait; the unpleasantness of ap- 
pearing fickle is certainly great; but if 3rou think 
you want punishment for past illusions, there it is, 
and nothing can be compared to the misery of 
being bound without love, — bound to one, and 
preferring another; that is a punishment which 
you do not deserve. 

I know you did not meet, or rather will not 
meet, to-day, as he called here yesterday; and I 
am glad of it. It does not seem very likely, at 
least, that he should be in time for a dinner visit 
sixty miles off. We did not see him, only found 
his card when we came home at four. Your 
Uncle H. merely observed that he was a day after 
"the fair." We asked your brother on Monday 
(when Mr. Hayter was talked of) why he did not 



238 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1814. 

invite him too; saying, "I know he is in town, 
for I met him the other day in Bond St." Ed- 
ward answered that lie did not know where he 
was to be found. ''Don't you know his cham- 
bers?" "No." 

I shall be most glad to hear from you again, 
my dearest Fanny, but it must not be later than 
Saturday, as we shall be off on Monday long be- 
fore the letters are delivered; and write something 
that may do to be read or told. I am to take 
the Miss Moores back on Saturday, and when I 
return I shall hope to find your pleasant little 
flowing scrawl on the table. It will be a relief to 
me after playing at ma'ams, for though I like 
Miss H. M. as much as one can at my time of life 
after a day's acquaintance, it is iiphill work to be 
talking to those whom one knows so little. 

Only one comes back with me to-morrow, prob- 
ably Miss Eliza, and I rather dread it. We shall 
not have two ideas in common. She is young, 
pretty, chattering, and thinking chiefly, I pre- 
sume, of dress, company, and admiration. Mr. 
Sanford is to join us at dinner, which will be a 
comfort, and in the evening, while your uncle 
and Miss Eliza play chess, he shall tell me com- 
ical things and I will laugh at them, which M'ill 
be a pleasure to both. 

I called in Keppel Street and saw them all, in- 
cluding dear Uncle Cliarles, who is to come and 



1814.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 289 

dine witli us quietly to-day. Little Harriot sat 
in my lap, and seemed as gentle and affectionate 
as ever, and as pretty, except not being quite 
well. Fanny is a fine stout girl, talking inces- 
santly, with an interesting degree of lisp and 
indistinctness, and very likely may be the hand- 
somest in time. Gassy did not show more pleas- 
ure in seeing me than her sisters, but I expected 
no better. She does not shine in the tender feel- 
ings. She will never be a Miss O'Neil, more iu 
the Mrs. Siddons line. 

Thank you, but it is not settled yet whether I 
do hazard a second edition. We are to see Eger- 
ton to-day, when it will probably be determined. 
Peojile are more ready to borrow and praise than 
to buy, which I cannot wonder at; but though I 
like praise as well as anybody, I like what 
Edward calls '^ Pewter" too. I hope he contin- 
ues careful of his eyes, and finds the good effect of 
it. I cannot suppose we differ in our ideas of the 
Christian religion. You have given an excellent 
description of it. We only affix a different mean- 
ing to the word evangelical. 

Yours most affectionately, 



J. Austen. 



Miss Knight, 

Godmersham Park, Faversham, Kent. 



19 



290 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

LXVII. 

Ckawton, Friday (Sept. 29). 
My dear Anna, — We told Mr. B. Lefroy 
that if the weather did not j^revent ns we sliould 
certainly come and see you to-morrow and bring 
Cassy, trusting to your being good enough to 
give her a dinner about one o'clock, that we might 
be able to be with you the earlier and stay the 
longer. But on giving Cassy her choice between 
" the Fair at Alton or Wy ards, it must be confessed 
that she has preferi'ed the former, which we trust 
will not greatly affront you ; if it does, you may hope 
that some little Anne hereafter may revenge the 
insult by a similar preference of an Alton Pair to 
her Cousin Cassy. In the mean while we have 
determined to put off our visit to you until Mon- 
day, which we hope will be not less convenient. 
I wish the weather may not resolve on another put 
off. I must come to you before Wednesday if it be 
possible, for on that day I am going to London for 
a week or two with ^^our Uncle Henry, who is 
expected here on Sunday. If Monday should 
appear too dirty for walking, and Mr. Lefroy would 
be so kind as to come and fetch me, I should be 
much obliged to him. Cassy might be of the 
party, and your Aunt Cassandra will take another 
oj)portunity. 

Yours very affectionately, m\- dear Anna, 

J. AlISTEX. 



1815.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 291 

Note by Lord Brahoxirne. 

But before the week or two to which she had 
limited her visit in Hans Place was at an end, her 
brother fell ill, and on October 22 he was in such 
danger that she wrote to Steventon to summon 
her father to town. The letter was two days on 
the road, and reached him on Sunday the 24th. 
Even then he did not start immediately. In the 
evening he and his wife rode to Chawton, and it 
was not until the next day that he and Cassandra 
arrived in Hans Place. The malady from which 
Henry Austen Vv'as suffering was low fever, and 
he was for some days at death's door: but 
he rallied soon after his brother and sisters 
arrived, and recovered so quickly that the former 
was able to leave him at the end of the week. 
The great anxiety and fatigue which Jane under- 
went at this time was supposed by some of her 
family to have broken down her health. She 
was in a very feeble and exhausted condition 
when the bank in which her brother Henry was 
a partner broke, and he not only lost all that he 
possessed, but most of his relations suffered se- 
verely also. Jane was well enough to pay sev- 
eral visits with her sister in the summer of 1816, 
including one to Steventon, — the last she ever 
paid to that home of her childhood. The last 
note which Mrs. Lefroy had preserved is dated, — 



292 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

LXVIII. 

June 23, 1816. 

My dear Anna, — Cassy desires her best thanks 
for the book. She was quite delighted to see it. 
I do not know when 1 have seen her so much 
struck by anybody's kindness as on this occasion. 
Her sensibility seems to be oj)ening to the percep- 
tion of great actions. These gloves having ap- 
peared on the pianoforte ever since you were here 
on Friday, we imagine they must be yours. Mrs. 
Digweed returned yesterday through all the after- 
noon's rain, and was of course wet through; but in 
speaking of it she never once said " it was beyond 
everything," which I am sure it must have been. 
Your mamma means to ride to Speen Hill to-mor- 
row to see the Mrs. Hulberts, who are both very 
indifferent. By all accounts they really are 
breaking now, — not so stout as the old jackass. 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

Chawtox, Suuday, Juue 23. 

Uncle Charles's birthday. 
LXIX. 

Hans Place, Friday (Nov. 24, 1815). 
My dearest Cassandra, — I have the pleasure 
of sending you a much better account of my 
affairs, which I know will be a great delight to 
you. 



1815.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 293 

I wrote to Mr. Murray yesterday myself, and 
Henry wrote at the same time to Roworth. Be- 
fore the notes were out of the house, I received 
three sheets and an apology from R. We sent the 
notes, however, and I had a most civil one in 
reply from Mr. M. He is so very polite, indeed, 
that it is quite overcoming. The printers have 
been waiting for paper, — the blame is thrown upon 
the stationer; but he gives his word that I shall 
have no further cause for dissatisfaction. He has 
lent us Miss Williams and Scott, and says that 
any book of his will alwaj^s be at my service. In 
short, I am soothed and complimented into toler- 
able comfort. 

We had a visit yesterday from Edwd. Knight, 
and Mr. jNfascall joined him here; and this morn- 
ing has brought Mr. Mascall's compliments and 
two pheasants. We have some hope of Edward's 
coming to dinner today; he will, if he can, I 
believe. He is looking extremely well. 

To-morrow Mr. Haden is to dine with us. There 
is happiness! We really grow so fond of Mr. 
Haden that I do not know what to expect. He 
and Mr. Tilson and Mr. Philips made up our circle 
of wits last night. Fanny played, and he sat and 
listened and suggested improvements, till Richard 
came in to tell him that "the doctor was waiting 
for him at Captn. Blake's;" and then he was off 
with a speed that you can imagine. He never 



294: LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

does appear in the least above his profession or 
out of humor with it, or I should think poor Captn. 
Blake, whoever he is, in a very bad way. 

I must have misunderstood Henry when I told 
3'ou that you were to hear from him to-day. He 
read me what he wrote to Edward: part of it must 
have amused him, I am sure one part, alas! can- 
not be very amusing to anybody. I wonder that 
with such business to worry him he can be getting 
better; but he certainly does gain strength, and 
if you and Edwd. were to see him now, I feel 
sure that you would think him improved since 
Monday. 

He was out yesterday; it was a fine sunshiny 
day here (in the country perhaps you might have 
clouds and fogs. Dare I say so? I shall not de- 
ceive you, if I do, as to my estimation of the 
climate of London), and he ventured first on the 
balcony and then as far as the greenhouse. He 
caught no cold, and therefore has done more 
to-day, with great delight and self-persuasion of 
improvement. 

He has been to see Mrs. Tilson and the Ma- 
lings. By the by, you may talk to Mr. T. of 
his wife's being better; I saw her yesterday, and 
was sensible of her having gained ground in the 
last two days. 

Evening. — We have had no Edward. Our 
circle is formed, — only Mr. Tilson and Mr. 



1815.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 295 

Haden. We are not so happy as we were. A 
message came this afternoon from Mrs. Latouche 
and Miss East, offering themselves to drink tea 
with ns to-morrow, and, as it was accepted, here 
is an end of our extreme felicity in our dinner 
guest. I am heartily sorry they are coming; it 
will be an evening spoilt to Fanny and me. 

Another little disappointment: Mr. H. advises 
Henry's not venturing with us in the carriage 
to-morrow; if it were spring, he says, it would be 
a different thing. One would rather this had not 
been. He seems to think his going out to-day 
rather imprudent, though acknowledging at the 
same time that he is better than he was in the 
morning. 

Fanny has had a letter full of commissions from 
Goodnestone; we shall be busy about them and 
her own matters, I dare say, from twelve to four. 
Nothing, I trust, will keep us from Keppel Street. 
This day has brought a most friendly letter 
from Mr. Fowle, with a brace of pheasants. I 
did not know before that Henry had written to 
him a few da^'s ago to ask for them. We shall 
live upon pheasants, — no bad life! 

I send you five one-pound notes, for fear you 
should be distressed for little money. Lizzy's 
work is cliarmingly done; shall you put it to your 
chintz? A sheet came in this moment; 1st and 
3rd vols, are now at 144; 2nd at 48. 1 am sure 



296 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

you will like particulars. We are not to have 

the trouble of returning the sheets to Mr. Murray 

any longer; the printer's boys bring and carry. 

I hope Mary continues to get well fast, and I 

send my love to little Herbert. You will tell me 

more of Martha's plans, of course, when you write 

again. Remember me most kindly to everybody, 

and Miss Benn besides. 

Yours very affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

I have been listening to dreadful insanity. It 
is Mr. Haden's firm belief that a person not 
musical is fit for every sort of wickedness. I 
ventured to assert a little on the other side, but 
wished the cause in abler hands. 

Miss Austen, Chawtou. 



LXX. 

Hans Place, Sunday (Nov. 26). 
My dearest, — The parcel arrived safely, and 
I am much obliged to you for your trouble. It 
cost 2s. 10c?., but as there is a certain saving of 
2s. 4^^d. on the other side, I am sure it is well 
worth doing. I send four pair of silk stockings, but 
I do not want them washed at present. In the 
three neckhandkerchiefs I include the one sent 
down before. These things, perhaps, Edwd. may 
be able to bring, but even if he is not, I am ex- 



1815,] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 297 

treraely pleased with his returning to 3^011 from 
Steventon. It is much better, far preferable. 

I did mention the F. R. in my note to Mr. 
Murray; it brought me a fine compliment in 
return. Whether it has done any other good I do 
not know, but Henry thought it worth trying. 

The printers continue to supply me very well. 
I am advanced in Vol. III. to my (wra-root, upon 
which peculiar style of spelling there is a modest 
query in the margin. I will not forget Anna's 
arrowroot. I hojje you have told Martha of my 
first resolution of letting nobody know that I 
might dedicate, etc., for fear of being obliged 
to do it, and that she is thoroughly convinced 
of my being influenced now by nothing but the 
most mercenary motives. I have paid nine shil- 
lings on her account to Miss Palmer; there was 
no miore owing. 

Well, we were very busy all yesterday ; from 
half-past eleven till four in the streets, working al- 
most entirely for other people, driving from place 
to place after a parcel for Sandliug, which we could 
never find, and encountering the miseries of 
Grafton House to get a purple frock for Eleanor 
Bridges. We got to Keppel St., however, which 
was all I cared for; and though we could stay only 
a quarter of an hour, Fanny's calling gave great 
pleasure, and her sensibilit_y still greater, for she 
was very much affected at the sight of the chil- 



298 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

dren. Poor little F. looked heavy. We saw the 
whole part3^ 

Aunt Harriet hopes Cassy will not forget to 
make a pincushion for Mrs. Kelly, as she has spoken 
of its being promised her several times. I hope 
we shall see Aunt H. and the dear little girls here 
on Thursday. 

So much for the morning. Then came the din- 
ner and Mr. Haden, who brought good manners 
and clever conversation. From seven to eight the 
harp; at eight Mrs, L. and Miss E. arrived, and for 
the rest of the evening the drawing-room was thus 
arranged: on the sofa side the two ladies, Henry, 
and myself making the best of it; on the opposite 
side Fannv and Mr. Haden, in two chairs (I believe, 
at least, they had two chairs), talking together 
uninterruptedly. Fancy the scene ! And what 
is to be fancied next? Why, that Mr. H. dines 
here again to-morrow. To-day we are to have Mr. 
Barlow. Mr. H. is reading '' Mansfield Park" for 
the first time, and prefers it to P. and P. 

A hare and four rabbits from Gm. yesterday, 
so that we are stocked for nearly a week. Poor 
Farmer Andrews! 1 am very sorry for him, and 
sincerely wish his recoxeYy. 

A better account of the sugar than T could have 
expected. I should like to help you break some 
more. I am glad you cannot wake early; I am sure 
you must have been under great arrears of rest. 



1815.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 299 

Fanny and I havo been to B. Chapel, and 
walked back with Maria Cuthbert. W.e have been 
very little plagued with visitors this last week. 
I remember only Miss Herries, the aunt, but I am 
in terror for to-day, a fine bright Sunday; plenty 
of mortar, and nothing to do. 

Henry gets out in his garden eveiy day, but at 
present his inclination for doing more seems over, 
nor has he now any plan for leaving London 
before Dec. 18, when he thinks of going to Oxford 
for a few days ; to-day, indeed, his feelings are for 
continuing where he is through the next two 
months. 

One knows the uncertainty of all this; but 
should it be so, we must think the best, and hope 
the best, and do the best; and my idea in that 
case is, that when he goes to Oxford I should go 
home, and have nearly a week of you before you 
take my place. This is only a silent project, you 
know, to be gladly given up if better things occur. 
Henry calls himself stronger every day, and Mr. 
H. keeps on approving his pulse, which seems 
generally better than ever, but still they will not 
let him be well. Perhaps when Fanny is gone he 
will be allowed to recover faster. 

I am not disappointed: I never thought the 
little girl at Wyards very pretty, but she will 
have a fine complexion and curly hair, and pass for 
a beauty. We are glad the mamma's cold has 



300 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

not been worse, and send her our love and good 
wishes by every convenient opportunity. Sweet, 
amiable Frank! why does he have a cold too? 
Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Duval, ^ "I wish it 
well over with him." 

Fanny has heard all that I have said to 3'ou 
about herself and Mr. H. Thank you very much 
for the sight of dearest Charles's letter to yourself. 
How pleasantly and how naturally he writes! and 
how perfect a picture of his disposition and feelings 
his style conveys! Poor dear fellow! Not a 
present! 

I have a great mind to send him all the twelve 
copies which were to have been dispersed among 
my near connections, beginning with the P. R.^ 
and ending with Countess Morley. Adieu. 
Yours affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

Give my love to Cassy and Mary Jane. Caro- 
line will be gone when this reaches you. 
Miss Austen. 

LXXI. 

Hans Place, Saturday (Dec. 2). 
My dear Cassandra, — Henry came back 
yesterday, and might have returned the day before 

1 Characters in Miss Buruey's " Eveliua." 

2 Priuce Regent. 



1815] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 301 

if he had known as much in time. I had the 
pleasure of hearing from Mr. T. on Wednesday 
night that Mr. Seymour thought there was not the 
least occasion for his absenting himself any longer. 

I had also the comfort of a few lines on Wednes- 
day morning from Henry himself, just after your 
letter was gone, giving so good an account of his 
feelings as made me perfectly easy. He met with 
the utmost care and attention at Han well, .spent 
his two days there very quietly and pleasantly, 
and being certainly in no respect the worse for 
going, we may believe that he must be better, as he 
is quite sure of being himself. To make his return 
a complete gala, Mr. Haden was secured for dinner. 
I need not say that our evening was agreeable. 

But you seem to be under a mistake as to Mr. H. 
You call him an apothecary. He is no apothecary; 
he has never been an apothecary; there is not an 
apothecary in this neighborhood, — the only incon- 
venience of the situation, perhaps, — but so it is; 
we have not a medical man within reach. He is a 
Haden, nothing but a Haden, a sort of wonderful 
nondescript creature on two legs, something be- 
tween a man and an angel, but without the least 
spice of an apothecary. He is, perhaps, the only 
person not an apothecary hereabouts. He has 
never sung to us. He will not sing without a 
pianoforte accompaniment. 

Mr. Meyers gives his three lessons a week, al- 



302 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1815. 

teriiig his clay.s and his hours, however, just as he 
chooses, never very punctual, and never giving 
good measure. I have not Fanny's fondness for 
masters, and Mr. Meyers does not give me any 
longing after them. The truth is, I think, that 
they are all, at least music-masters, made of too 
much consequence, and allowed to take too many 
liberties with their scholars' time. 

We shall be delighted to see Edward on Mon- 
day, only sorry that you must be losing him. A 
turkey will be equally welcome with himself. He 
must prepare for his own proper bedchamber here, 
as Henry moved down to the one below last week; 
he found the other cold. 

I am sorry my mother has been suffering, and 
am afraid this exquisite weather is too good to 
agree with her. I enjoy it all over me, from top 
to toe, from right to left, longitudinally, perpen- 
dicularly, diagonally; and I cannot but selfishly 
hope we are to have it last till Chri;_;tmas, — nice, 
unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy 
weather. 

Oh, thank 3'ou very much for your long letter; 
it did me a great deal of good. Henry accepts 
your offer of making his nine gallon of mead 
thankfully. The mistake of the dogs rather vexed 
him for a moment, but he has not thought of it 
since. To-day he makes a third attempt at his 
strengthening plai.ster, and as I am sure he will 



ISl.V] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 303 

now be getting out a great deal, it is to be wislied 
that he may be able to keep it on. He sets off 
this morning by the Chelsea coach to sign bonds 
and visit Henrietta St., and I have no doubt will 
be going every day to Henrietta St. 

Fanny and I were very snug by ourselves as 
soon as we were satisfied about our invalid's being 
safe at Han^yell. By manoeuvring and good luck 
we foiled all the Malings' attempts upon us. Hap- 
pily I caught a little cold on Wednesday, the 
morning we were in town, which we made very 
useful, and we saw nobody but our precious ^ and 
Mr. Tilson. 

This evening the Malings are allowed to drink 
tea with us. We are in hopes — that is, we wish 
— Miss Palmer and the little girls may come this 
morning. You know, of course, that she could 
not come on Thursday, and she will not attem[)t 
to name any other day. 

God bless you. Excuse the shortness of this, 
but I must finish it now, that I may save you 2d. 
Best love. 

Yours affectionately, J. A. 

It strikes me that I have no business to give the 
P. R. a binding, but we will take counsel upon 
the question. 

I am glad you have put the flounce on your 

1 Probably a playful allusiou to Mr. Haden. 



304 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

cliintz; I am sure it must look particularly well, 
and it is what I had thought of. 

Miss Austen, 

Chawton, Alton, Hants. 



LXXII. 

Chawton (Feb. 20, 1816). 

My DEARE.ST Fanny, — You are inimitable, irre- 
sistible. You are the delight of my life. Such 
letters, such entertaining letters, as you have 
lately sent! such a description of your queer 
little heart! such a lovely display of what imagi- 
nation does! You are worth your weight in gold, 
or even in the new silver coinage. I cannot ex- 
press to you what I have felt in reading your 
history of yourself, — how full of pity and con- 
cern, and admiration and amusement I have been! 
Yovi are the paragon of all that is silly and sensi- 
ble, commonplace and eccentric, sad and lively, 
provoking and interesting. Who can keep pace 
with the fluctuations of your fancy, the capprizios 
of your taste, the contradictions of your feelings? 
You are so odd, and all the time so perfectly 
natural! — so peculiar in yourself, and yet so like 
everybody else ! 

It is very, very gratifj-ing to me to know j^ou 
so intimately. You can hardly think what a pleas- 
ure it is to me to have such thorough jjictures of 



1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 305 

your heart. Oh, what a loss it will be when you 
are married! You are too agreeable ia your single 
state, — too agreeable as a niece. I shall hate you 
when your delicious play of mind is all settled 
down into conjugal and maternal affections. 

Mr. B frightens me. He will have you. I 

see you at the altar. I have some faith in Mrs. C. 
Cage's observation, and still more in Lizzy's; and 
besides, I know it must be so. He must be wish- 
ing to attach you. It would be too stupid and 
too shameful in him to be otherwise; and all the 
family are seeking your acquaintance. 

Do not imagine tliat I have any real objection; 
I have rather taken a fancy to him than not, and I 
like the house for you. I only do not like you 
should marry anybody. And yet I do wish you 
to marry very much, because I know you will 
never be happy till you are; but the loss of 
a Fanny Knight will be never made up to me. 

My " affec. niece F. C. B " will be but a poor 

substitute. I do not like yoiir being nervous, and 
so apt to cry, — it is a sign you are not quite well; 
but I hope Mr. Scud — as you always vvrite his 
name (your Mr. Scuds amuse me very much) — 
will do you good. 

What a comfort that Cassandra should be so 
recovered! It was more than we had expected. 
I can easily believe she was very patient and very 
ffood. I always loved Cassandi-a for her fine dark 



306 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

eyds and sweet temper. I am almost entirely 
cured of my rheumatism, — just a little pain in my 
knee now and then, to make me remember what it 
was, and keep on flannel. Aunt Cassandra nursed 
me so beautifully. 

I enjoy your visit to Goodnestone, it must be a 
great pleasure to you; you have not seen Fanny 
Cage in comfort so long. I hope she represents 
and remonstrates and reasons with you properly. 
Why should you be living in dread of his marrying 
somebody else? (Yet how natural!) You did not 
choose to have him yourself, why not allow him to 
take comfort where he can? In your conscience 
you know that he could not bear a companion 
with a more animated character. You cannot 
forget how you felt under the idea of its having 
been possible that he might have dined in Hans 
Place. 

My dearest Fanny, I cannot bear you should 
be unhappy about him. Think of his principles; 
think of his father's objection, of want of money, 
etc., etc. But I am doing no good; no, all that I 
urge against him will rather make you take his 
part more, — sweet, perverse Fanny. 

And now I will tell you that we like your 
Henry to the utmost, to the very top of the glass, 
quite brimful. He is a very pleasing young man. 
I do not see how he could be mended. He does 
really bid fair to be everything his father and sister 



1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEX. 307 

could wish; and William I love very much indeed, 
and so we do all ; he is quite our own William. 
In short, we are very comfortable together; that 
is, we can answer for ourselves. 

Mrs. Deedes is as welcome as May to all our 
benevolence to her son; we only lamented that we 
could not do more, and that the 50^. note we slipped 
into his hand at parting was necessarily the limit 
of our offering. Good Mrs. Deedes! Scandal and 
gossip; yes, I dare say you are well stocked, but 

I am very fond of Mrs. for reasons good. 

Thank you for mentioning her praise of "Emma," 
etc. 

I have contributed the marking to Uncle H.'s 
shirts, and now they are a complete memorial of 
the tender regard of many. 

Friday. — I had no idea when I began this yes- 
terday of sending it before your brother went back, 
but I have written away my foolish thoughts at 
such a rate that I will not keep them many hours 
longer to stare me in the face. 

Much obliged for the quadrilles, which I am 
grown to think pretty enough, though of course 
they are very inferior to the cotillons of my own 
day. 

Ben and Anna walked here last Sunday to hear 
Uncle Henry, and she looked so pretty, it was quite 
a pleasure to see her, so young and so blooming 
and so innocent, as if she had never had a wicked 



398 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

thought in lier life, wliich yet one has some reason 
to suppose she must have had, if we believe the 
doctrine of original sin. I hope Lizzy will have 
her play very kindly arranged for her. Henry is 
generally thought very good-looking, but not so 
handsome as Edward. I think I prefer his face. 
Wm. is in excellent looks, has a fine appetite, 
and seems perfectly well. You w^ill have a great 
break up at Godmersham in the spring. You must 
feel their all going. It is very right, however! 
Poor Miss C. ! I shall pity her when she begins 
to understand herself. 

Your objection to the quadrilles delighted me 
exceedingly. Pretty well, fur a lady irrecoverably 
attached to one person! Sweet Fanny, believe no 
such thing of 3'ourself, s^^read no such malicious 
slander upon your understanding within the pre- 
cincts of your imagination. Do not speak ill of 
your sense merely for the gratification of your 
fancy; yours is sense which deserves more honor- 
able treatment. You are not in love with him; 
you never have been really in love with him. 
Yours very affectionately, 

J. Austen. 
Miss Knight, 

Godmersham Park, Favershara, Keut. 



1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 309 



LXXIIL 

Chawton, Thursday (March 13). 

As to making any adequate return for such a 
letter as yours, my dearest Fanny, it is absolutely 
impossible. If I were to labor at it all the rest 
of my life, and live to the age of Methuselah, I 
could never accomplish anything so long and so 
perfect; but I cannot let William go without a 
few lines of acknowledgment and reply. 

I have pretty well done with Mr. . By 

your description, he cannot be in love with you, 
however he may try at it; and I could not wish the 
match unless there were a great deal of love on his 
side, I do not know what to do about Jemima 
Branfill. What does her dancing away with so 
much spirit mean? That she does not care for 
him, or only wishes to appear not to care for him? 
Who can understand a young lady? 

Poor Mrs. C. Milles, that she should die on the 
wrong day at last, after being about it so long! 
It was unlucky that the Goodnestone party could 
not meet you; and I hope her friendly, obliging, 
social spirit, which delighted in drawing people 
together, was not conscioxis of the division and 
disappointment she Avas occasioning. I am sorry 
and surprised that you speak of her as having little 
to leave, and must feel for Miss Milles, though she 



310 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

is Molly, if a material loss of income is to attend 
her other loss. Single women have a dreadful 
propensity for being poor, which is one very strong 
argument in favor of matrimony; but I need not 
dwell on such arguments with you, pretty dear. 

To you I shall say, as I have often said before, 
Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at 
last; you will in the course of the next two or 
three years meet with somebody more generally 
unexceptionable than any one you have yet known, 
who will love you as warmly as possible, and who 
will so completely attract you that you will feel 
you never really loved before. 

Do none of the A.'s ever come to balls now? 
You have never mentioned them as being at any. 
And what do you hear of the Gipps, or of Fanny 
and her husband ? 

Aunt Cassandra walked to Wyards yesterday 
with Mrs. Digweed. Anna has had a bad cold, 
and looks pale. She has just weaned Julia. 

I have also heard lately from your Aunt Har- 
riot, and cannot understand their plans in parting 
with Miss S., whom she seems very much to value 
now that Harriot and Eleanor are both of an age 
for a governess to be so useful to, especially as, 
when Caroline was sent to school some years. Miss 
Bell was still retained, though the others even 
then were nursery children. They have some 
good reason, I dare say, though 1 cannot penetrate 



1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 311 

it; and till I know what it is I shall invent a bad 
one, and amuse myself with accounting for the 
difference of measures hj supposing Miss S. to be 
a superior sort of woman, who has never stooped 
to recommend herself to the master of the family 
by flattery, as Miss Bell did. 

I will answer your kind questions more than 
you expect. ''Miss Catherine" is put u]3on the 
shelf for the present, and I do not know that she 
will ever come out ; but I have a something ready 
for publication, which ma}', perhaps, aj^pear about 
a twelvemonth hence. It is short, — about the 
length of "Catherine." This is for yourself 
alone. Neither Mr. Salusbury nor Mr. Wildman 
is to know of it. 

I am got tolerably well again, quite equal to 
walking about and enjoying the air, and by sit- 
ting down and resting a good wdiile between my 
walks I get exercise enough. I have a scheme, 
however, for accomplishing more, as the weather 
grows spring like. I mean to take to riding the 
donkey; it will be more independent and less 
troublesome than the use of the carriage, and I 
shall be able to go about with Aunt Cassandra in 
her walks to Alton and Wyards. 

I hope you will think Wm. looking well; he 
was bilious the other day, and At. Cass, supplied 
him with a dose at his own request. I am sure 
you would have approved it. Wm. and I are the 



312 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

best of friends. I love him very niucli. Every- 
thing is so natural about him, — his affections, 
his manners, and his drollery. He entertains and 
interests us extremely. 

Mat. Hammond and A. M. Shaw are people 
whom I cannot care for in themselves, but I enter 
into their situation, and am glad they are so 
happy. If I were the Duchess of Richmond, I 
should be very miserable about my son's choice. 

Our fears increase for poor little Harriot; the 
latest account is that Sir Ev. Home is confirmed 
in his opinion of there being water on the brain. 
I hope Heaven, in its mercy, will take her soon. 
Her poor father will be quite worn out by his feel- 
ings for her; he cannot spare Cassy at present, she 
is an occupation and a comfort to him. 



LXXIV. 

CiiAWTOx, Sunday (March 23). 
I AM very much obliged to you, my dearest 
Fanny, for sending me Mr. W. 's conversation; I 
had great amusement in reading it, and I hope 
I am not affronted, and do not think the worse 
of him for having a brain so very different from 
mine; but my strongest sensation of all is aston- 
ishment at your being able to press him on the 
subject so perseveringly ; and I agree with your 



1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 313 

papa that it was not fair. When he knows the 
truth, he will be uncomfortable. 

You are the oddest creature ! Nervous enough 
in some respects, but in others perfectly without 
nerves! Quite unrepulsable, hardened, and im- 
pudent. Do not oblige him to read any more. 
Have mercy on him, tell him the truth, and make 
him an apology. He and I should not in the least 
agree, of course, in our ideas of novels and hero- 
ines. Pictures of perfection, as you know, make 
me sick and wicked; but there is some very good 
sense in what he says, and I particularly respect 
him for wishing to think well of all young ladies; 
it shows an amiable and a delicate mind. And he 
deserves better treatment than to be obliged to 
read any more of my works. 

Do not be surprised at finding Uncle Henry ac- 
quainted with my having another ready for publi- 
cation. I could not say No when he asked me, 
but he knows nothing more of it. You will not 
like it, so you need not be impatient. You may 
perhaps like the heroine, as she is almost too good 
for me. 

Many thanks for your kind care for my health; 
I certainly have not been well for many weeks, 
and about a week ago I was very poorly. I have 
had a good deal of fever at times, and indifferent 
nights; but I am considerably better now, and am 
recovering my looks a little, which have been bad 



314 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

enough, — black and white, and every wrong color. 
I must not depend upon being ever very blooming 
again. Sickness is a dangerous indulgence at my 
time of life. Thank 3'ou for everything you tell 
me. I do not feel worthy of it by anj'thing that 
I can say in return, but I assure you my pleasure 
in your letters is quite as great as ever, and I am 
interested and amused just as you could wish me. 
If there is a Miss Marsden, I i:)erceive whom she 
will marry. 

Evening. — I was languid and dull and very bad 
company when I wrote the above; I am better 
now, to my own feelings at least, and wish I may 
be more agreeable. We are going to have rain, 
and after that very pleasant genial weather, which 
will exactly do for me, as my saddle will then be 
completed, and air and exercise is what I want. 
Indeed, I shall be very glad when the event at 
Scarlets is over, the expectation of it keeps us 
in a worry, your grandmamma especially; she sits 
brooding over evils which cannot be remedied, and 
conduct impossible to be understood. 

Now the reports from Keppel St. are rather 
better; little Harriot's headaches are abated, and 
Sir Evd. is satisfied with the effect of the mercur}', 
and does not despair of a cure. The complaint I 
find is not considered incurable nowadays, provided 
the patient be young enough not to have the head 
hardened. The water in that case may be drawn 



1816] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 315 

off by mercury. But tliough this is a new idea to 
us, perhaps it may have been long familiar to you 
through your friend Mr. Scud. I hope his high 
renown is sustained by driving away William's 
cough. 

Tell Wm. that Triggs is as beautiful and con- 
descending as ever, and was so good as to dine 
with as to-day, and tell him that I often play at 
nines and think of him. 

The Papillons came back on Friday night, but 
I have not seen them yet, as I do not venture to 
church. I cannot hear, however, but that they 
are the same Mr. P. and his sister they used to 
be. She has engaged a new maidservant in Mrs. 
Calker's room, whom she means to make also 
housekeeper under herself. 

Old Philmore was buried yesterday, and I, by 
way of saying something to Triggs, observed that 
it had been a very handsome funeral; but his 
manner of reply made me suppose that it was not 
generally esteemed so. I can only be sure of one 
part being very handsome, — Triggs himself, walk- 
ing behind in his green coat. Mrs. Philmore 
attended as chief mourner, in bombazine, made 
very short, and flounced with crape. 

Tuesday. — I have had various plans as to this 
letter, but at last I have determined that Uncle 
Henry shall forward it from London. I want to 
see how Canterbury looks in the direction. When 



316 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

once Uncle H. ha.s left us, I shall wish him with 
you. London has become a hateful place to him, 
and he is always depressed by the idea of it. I 
hope he will be in time for your sick. I am sure 
he must do that part of his duty as excellently as 
all the rest. He returned yesterday from Steven- 
ton, and was with us by breakfast, bringing 
Edward with him, only that Edwd. stayed to 
breakfast at Wyards. We had a pleasant family 
day, for the Altons dined with us, the last visit 
of the kind probably which she will be able to pay 
us for many a month. 

I hope your own Henry is in France, and that 
you have heard from him; the passage once over, 
he will feel all happiness. I took my first ride 
yesterday, and liked it very much. I went up 
Mounter's Lane and round by where the new 
cottages are to be, and found the exercise and 
everything very pleasant; and I had the advantage 
of agreeable companions, as At. Cass, and Edward 
Avalked by my side. At. Cass, is such an excellent 
nurse, so assiduous and unwearied! But you know 
all that already. 

Very affectionately yours, 



J. Austen. 



Miss Knight, 

Godraersham Park, Canterbury. 



1810] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 317 



LXXV. 

Chawtox, Sunday (Sept. 8, 1816). 

My dearest Cassandra, — I have borne the 
arrival of your letter to-day extremely well; any- 
body might have thought it was giving me pleas- 
ure. I am very glad you find so much to be 
satisfied with at Cheltenham. While the waters 
agree, everything else is trifling. 

A letter arrived for you from Charles last Thurs- 
day. They are all safe and jjretty well in Keppel 
St., the children decidedly better for Broadstairs; 
and he writes principally to ask when it will be 
convenient to us to receive Miss P., the little 
girls, and himself. They would be ready to set 
off in ten days from the time of his writing, to pay 
their visits in Hampshire and Berkshire, and he 
woxild prefer coming to Chawton first. 

I have answered him, and said that we hoped it 
might suit them to wait till the last week in Septr., 
as we could not ask them sooner, either on your 
account or the want of room. I mentioned the 
23rd as the probable day of your return. When 
you have once left Cheltenham, I shall grudge 
every half-day wasted on the road. If there were 
but a coach from Hungerford to Chawton! I have 
desired him to let me hear again soon. 

He does not include a maid in the list to be 



318 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

accommodated; but if they bring one, as I suppose 
they will, we shall have no bed in the house even 
then for Charles himself, — let alone Henry. But 
what can we do? 

We shall have the Gt. House quite at our com- 
mand; it is to be cleared of the Papillons' ser- 
vants in a day or two. They themselves have 
been hurried off into Essex to take possession, — 
not of a large estate left them by an uncle, but 
to scrape together all they can, I suppose, of the 
effects of a Mrs. Rawstorn, a rich old friend and 
cousin suddenly deceased, to whom they are joint 
executors. So there is a happy end of the Kent- 
ish Papillons coming here. 

No morning service to-day, wherefore I am 
writing between twelve and one o'clock. Mr. 
Benn in the afternoon, and likewise more rain 
again, by the look and the sound of things. You 
left us in doubt of Mrs. Benn's situation, but she 
has bespoke her nurse. . . . The F. A.'s dined with 
lis yesterday, and had fine weather both for coming 
and going home, which has hardly ever happened 
to them before. She is still unprovided with a 
housemaid. 

Our day at Alton was very i)leasant, venison 
quite right, children well behaved, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Digweed taking kindly to our charades and 
other games. I must also observe, for his mother's 
satisfaction, that Edward at mv suggestion de- 



1816 ] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 319 

voted himself very properly to the entertainment 
of Miss S. Gibson. Nothing was wanting except 
Mr. Sweeney; but he, alas! had been ordered 
away to London the day before. We had a beau- 
tiful walk home by moonlight. 

Thank you, my back has given me scarcely any 
pain for many days. I have an idea that agita- 
tion does it as much harm as fatigue, and that 
I was ill at the time of your going from the very 
circumstance of your going. I am nursing my- 
self up now into as beautiful a state as I can, 
because I hear that Dr. White means to call on 
me before he leaves the country. 

Evening. — Frank and Mary and the children 
visited us this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson 
are to come on the 23rd, and there is too much 
reason to fear they will stay above a week. Little 
George could tell me where 3'ou were gone to, as 
well as what you were to bring him, when I asked 
him the other day. 

Sir Tho. Miller is dead, I treat you with a 
dead baronet in almost every letter. 

So you have C. Craven among you, as well as 
the Duke of Orleans and Mr. Pocock. But it 
mortifies me tliat you have not added one to the 
stock of common acquaintance. Do pray meet 
with somebody belonging to yourself. I am quite 
weary of your knowing nobody. 

Mrs. Digweed parts with both Hannah and old 



320 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1816. 

cook: the former will not give up her lover, who 
is a man of bad character; the latter is guilty 
only of being unequal to anything. 

Miss Terr3r was to have spent this week with 
her sister, but as usual it is put off. My amiable 
friend knows the value of her company. I have 
not seen Anna since the day you left us; her 
father and brother visited her most days. Edward 
and Ben called here on Thursday. Edward was 
in his way to Selborne. We found him very 
agreeable. He is come back from France, think- 
ing of the French as one could wish, — disap- 
pointed in everything. He did not go beyond 
Paris. 

I have a letter from Mrs. Perigord; she and 
her mother are in London again. She speaks of 
France as a scene of general poverty and misery: 
no money, no trade, nothing to be got but by 
the innkeepers, and as to her own present pros- 
pects she is not much less melancholy than before. 

I have also a letter from Miss Sharp, quite one 
of her letters; she has been again obliged to 
exert herself more than ever, in a more distress- 
ing, more harassed state, and has met with an- 
other excellent old physician and his wife, with 
every virtue under heaven, who takes to her and 
cures her from pure love and benevolence. Dr. 
and Mrs. Storer are their jMrs. and Miss Palmer — 
for they are at Bridlington. I am happy to say, 



1816.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN, 321 

however, that the sum of the account is better 
than usual. Sir William is returned; from 
Bridlington they go to Chevet, and she is to have 
a young governess under her. 

I enjoyed Edward's company very much, as I 
said before, and yet I was not sorry when Friday 
came. It had been a busy week, and I wanted a 
few days' quiet and exemptiofi from the thought 
and contrivancy which any sort of company gives. 
I often wonder how you can find time for what 
you do, in addition to the care of the house; and 
how good Mrs. West could have written such 
books and collected so many hard words, with 
all her family cares, is still more a matter of 
astonishment. Composition seems to me impossi- 
ble with a head full of joints of mutton and doses 
of rhubarb. 

Monday. — Here is a sad morning. I fear you 
may not have been able to get to the Pump. The 
two last days were very pleasant. I enjoyed them 
the more for your sake. But to-day it is really 
bad enough to make you all cross. I hope Mary 
will change her lodgings at the fortnight's end; 
I am sure, if you looked about well, you would 
fi^nd others in some odd corner to suit you bet- 
ter. Mrs. Potter charges for the name of the 
High St. 

Success to the pianoforte! I trust it will drive 
you away. We hear now that there is to be no 
21 



322 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. 

honey this year. Bad news for us. We must hus- 
band our present stock of mead, and I am sorry 
to perceive that our twenty gallons is very nearly 
out. I cannot comprehend how the fourteen gal- 
lons could last so long. 

We do not much like Mr. Cooper's new sermons. 
They are fuller of regeneration and conversion 
than ever, with the addition of his zeal in the 
cause of the Bible Society. 

Martha's love to Mary and Caroline, and she is 
extremely glad to find they like the pelisse. The 
Debarys are indeed odious! We are to see my 
brother to-morrow, but for only one night. I 
had no idea that he would care for the races 
without Edward. Remember me to all. 
Yours very affectionately, 

J. Austen. 

Miss Austen, Post-Office, Cheltenham. 

Note by Lord Brabourne. 

I insert here a letter of Jane Austen's written 
backwards, addressed to her niece ''Cassy, " 
daughter of Captain Charles Austen (afterwards 
Admiral) when a little girl. 

LXXVI. 

Ym raed Yssac, — I hsiw U03' a yppah wen raey. 
Ruoy xis snisuoc emac ereh yadretsey, dna dah 
hcae a eceip fo ekac. Siht si elttil Yssac's 



1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 323 

yaJhtrib, dna ehs si eerht sraey dlo. Knarf sah 

nugeb gninrael Nital e\v deef elit Nibor yreve 

gninrom. Yllas netfo seriuqne retfa uoy. Yllas 

Mabiieb sab tog a wen neerg nwog. Teirrab 

Thgink semoc 3'reve yad ot daer ot Tnua Ardnas- 

sac Doog e^'b ym raed Yssac. 

Tnua Ardnassac sdues reh tseb evol, dna os ew 

od 11a. 

Ruoy etanoitceffa tnua, 

Enaj Netsua. 
NoTWAHC, Naj. 8. 

Note by Lord Urabourne. 

In January, 1817, sbe wrote of berself as better 
and able to walk into Alton, and hoped in the 
summer she should be able to walk back. In 
April her father in a note to Mrs. Lefroy says : 
' ' I was happy to have a good account of herself 
written by her own hand, in a letter from your 
Aunt Jane; but all who love, and that is all who 
know her, must be anxious on her account." We 
all know how well grounded that anxiety was, and 
how soon her relations had to lament over the loss of 
the dearest and brightest member of their family. 

And now I come to the saddest letters of all, 
those which tell us of the end of that bright life, 
cut short just at the time when the world might 
have hoped that unabated intellectual vigor, sup- 
plemented by the exjjerience brought by maturer 



324 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. 

years, would have produced works if possible even 
more fascinating than those with which she had 
already embellished the literature of her country. 
But it was not to be. The fiat had gone forth, — 
the ties which bound that sweet spirit to earth 
were to be severed, and a blank left, never to be 
filled in the family which her loved and loving 
presence had blessed, and where she had been so 
well and fondly appreciated. In the early spring 
of 1817 the unfavorable symptoms increased, and 
the failure of her health was too visible to be 
neglected. Still no apprehensions of imn'kediate 
danger were enteitained, and it is probable that 
when she left Chawton for Winchester in Ma}', 
she did not recognize the fact that she was bidding a 
last farewell to " Home." Happy for her if it 
was so, for there are few things more melancholy 
than to look upon any beloved place or person 
with the knowledge that it is for "the last time." 
In all probability this grief was spared to Jane, 
for even after her arrival at Winchester she spoke 
and wrote as if recovery was hopeful; and I fancy 
that her relations were by no means aware that 
the end was so near. 

Note by Lord Brahourne. 

Cassandra's letters tell the tale of the event in 
words that require no addition from me. They are 
simple and affecting, — the words of one who had 



1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 325 

been stricken by a great grief, but whose religion 
stood her in good stead, and enabled her to bear it 
with fortitude. The firm and loving bond of union 
which had ever united the Austen family, natu- 
rally intensified their sorrow at the loss of one of 
their number, and that the one of whom they had 
been so proud as well as so fond. They laid her 
within the walls of the old cathedral which she 
had loved so much, and went sorrowfully back to 
their homes, with the feeling that nothing could 
replace to them the treasure they had lost. And 
most heavily of all must the blow have fallen upon 
the only sister, the correspondent, the companion, 
the other self of Jane, who had to return alone to 
the desolate home, and to the mother to whose 
comforts the two had hitherto ministered together, 
but who would henceforward have her alone on 
whom to rely. . . . 

Letters from Misj Cassandra Austen to her niece 
Miss Knight, after the death of her sister Jane, 
July 18, 1817. 

LXXYII. 

Winchester, Sunday. 

My dearest Fanny, — Doubly dear to me now 

for her dear sake whom we have lost. She did 

love you most sincerely, and never shall I forget 

the proofs of love you gave her during her illness 



326 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. 

ill writing those kind, amusing letters at a time 
when I know ^^our feelings would have dictated so 
different a style. Take the only reward I can give 
you in the assurance that your benevolent pur- 
pose was answered; you did contribute to her 
enjoyment. 

Even your last letter afforded pleasure. I 
merely cut the seal and gave it to her; she opened 
it and read it herself, afterwards she gave it to me 
to read, and then talked to me a little and not un- 
cheerfully of its contents, but there was then a 
languor about her which prevented her taking the 
same interest in anything she had been used to do. 

Since Tuesday evening, when her complaint re- 
turned, there was a visible change, she slept more 
and much more comf ortabl}' ; indeed, during the 
last eight-and-forty hours she was more asleep than 
awake. Her looks altered and she fell away, but 
I perceived no material diminution of strength, 
and though I was then hopeless of a recovery, I 
had no suspicion how rapidly my loss was 
approaching. 

I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a 
friend as never can have been surpassed. She was 
the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, 
the soother of every sorrow; I had not a thought 
concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part 
of myself. I loved her only too well, — not better 
than she deserved, but I am conscious that my 



1817.J LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 327 

affection for her made me sometimes unjust to and 
negligent of others; and I can acknowledge, more 
than as a general principle, the justice of the 
Hand which has struck this blow. 

You know me too well to be at all afraid that I 
should suffer materially from my feelings; I am 
perfectly conscious of the extent of my irreparable 
loss, but I am not at all overpowered and very lit- 
tle indisposed, — nothing but what a short time, 
with rest and change of air, will remove. I thank 
God that I vvas enabled to attend her to the last, 
and amongst my many causes of self-reproach I 
have not to add any wilful neglect of her comfort. 

She felt herself to be dying about half an hour 
before she became tranquil and apparently uncon- 
scious. During that half-hour was her struggle, 
poor soul ! She said she could not tell us what she 
suffered, though she complained of little fixed 
pain. When I asked her if there was anything 
she wanted, her answer was she wanted nothing 
but death, and some of her words were: ''God 
grant me patience, pray for me, oh, pray for me! " 
Her voice was affected, but as long as she spoke 
she was intelligible. 

I hope I do not break your heart, my dearest 
Fanny, by these particulars ; I mean to afford you 
gratification whilst I am relieving my own feelings. 
I could not write so to anybody else; indeed you 
are the only person I have written to at all, except- 



328 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. 

ing your grandmamma, -^ it was to her, not your 
Uncle Charles, I wrote on Friday. 

Immediately after dinner on Thursday I went 
into the town to do an errand which your dear 
aunt was anxious about. I returned about a quar- 
ter before six, and found her recovering from faint- 
ness and oppression ; she got so well as to be able 
to give me a minute account of her seizure, and 
when the clock struck six she was talking quietly 
to me. 

I cannot say how soon afterwards she was seized 
again with the same faintness, which was followed 
by the sufferings she could not describe ; but Mr. 
Lyford had been sent for, had applied something 
to give her ease, and she was in a state of quiet 
insensibility by seven o'clock at the latest. From 
that time till half-past four, when she ceased to 
breathe, she scarcely moved a limb, so that we have 
every reason to think, with gratitude to the Al- 
mighty, that her sufferings were over. A slight 
motion of the head with every breath remained till 
almost the last. I sat close to her with a pillow 
in my lap to assist in supporting her head, which 
was almost off the bed, for six hours; fatigue made 
me then resign my place to Mrs. J. A. for two 
hours and a half, when I took it again, and in about 
an hour more she breathed her last. 

I was able to close her eyes myself, and it was 
a great gratification to me to render her those last 



1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 329 

service.s. There was nothing convulsed which 
gave the idea of pain in her look; on the con- 
trary', but for the continual motion of the head 
she gave one the idea of a beautiful statue, and 
even now, in her coffin, there is such a sweet, 
serene air over her countenance as is quite pleas- 
ant to contemplate. 

This day, my dearest Fanny, j^ou have had the 
melancholy intelligence, and I know you suffer 
severely, but I likewise know that you will apply 
to the fountain-head for consolation, and that our 
merciful God is never deaf to such prayers as 3-ou 
will offer. 

The last sad ceremony is to take place on Thurs- 
day morning; her dear remains are to be deposited 
in the cathedral. It is a satisfaction to me to 
think that they are to lie in a building she admired 
so much; her precious soul, I presume to hope, 
reposes in a far superior mansion. May mine one 
day be reunited to it ! 

Your dear papa, your Uncle Henry, and Frank 
and Edwd. Austen, instead of his father, will 
attend. I hope they will none of them suffer last- 
ingly from their pious exertions. The ceremony 
must be over before ten o'clock, as the cathedral 
service begins at that hour, so that we shall be at 
home early in the day, for there will be nothing to 
keep us here afterwards. 

Your Uncle James came to us yesterday, and is 



330 LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. [1817. 

gone home to-day. Uncle H. goes to Chawton to- 
morrow morning; he has given every necessary 
direction here, and I think his company there will 
do good. He returns to us again on Tuesday 
evening. 

I did not think to have written a long letter 
when I began, but I have found the employment 
draw me on, and I hope I shall have been giving 
you more pleasure than pain. Remember me 
kindly to Mrs. J. Bridges (I am so glad she is with 
you now), a ul give my best love to Lizzie and all 
the others. 

I am, my dearest Fanny, 

Most affectionately yours, 

Cass. Eliz. Austen. 

I have said nothing about those at Chawton, 
because I am sure you hear from your papa. 

LXXVIII. 

Chawton, Tuesday (July 29, 1817). 
My dearest Fanny, — I have just read your 
letter for the third time, and thank you most sin- 
cerely for every kind expression to myself, and 
still more warmly for your praises of her who I 
believe was better known to you than to any human 
being besides myself. Nothing of the sort could 
have been more gratifying to me than the manner 
in which you write of her; and if the dear angel is 



1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 331 

conscious of what passes here, and is not above all 
earthly feelings, she may perhaps receive pleasure 
in being so mourned. Had she been the survivor, 
I can fancy her speaking of you in almost the same 
terms. There are certainly many points of strong 
resemblance in your characters; in your intimate 
acqua ntance with each other, and your mutual 
strong affection, you were counterparts. 

Thursday Avas not so dreadful a day to me as 
you imagined. There was so much necessary to be 
done that there was no time for additional misery. 
Everything was conducted with the greatest tran- 
quillity, and but that I was determined I would 
see the last, and therefore was upon the listen, I 
should not have known when they left the house. 
I watched the little mournful procession the length 
of the street; and when it turned from my sight, 
and I had lost her forever, even then I was not 
overpowered, nor so much agitated as I am now in 
writing of it. Never was human being more sin- 
cerely mourned by those who attended her remains 
than was this dear creature. May the sorrow with 
which she is parted with on earth be a prognostic 
of the joy with which she is hailed in heaven! 

I continue very tolerably well, — much better 
than any one could have supposed possible, because 
I certainly have had considerable fatigue of body 
as well as anguish of mind for months back; but 
I really am well, and I hope I am properly grate- 



332 LETTERS OF J^VNE AUSTEN. [1817. 

ful to the Almighty for having been so supported. 
Your grandmamma, too, is much better than when 
I came home. 

I did not think your dear papa appeared unwell, 
and I understand that he seemed much more com- 
fortable after his return from Winchester than he 
had done before. I need not tell you that he was 
a great comfort to me; indeed, I can never say 
enough of the kindness I have received from him 
and from every other friend. 

I get out of doors a good deal, and am able to 
employ myself. Of course those employments suit 
me best which leave me most at leisure to think of 
her I have lost, and I do think of her in every 
variety of circumstance, — in tmr happy hours of 
confidential intercourse, in the cheerful family 
party which she so ornamented, in her sick-room, 
on her death-bed, and as (I hope) an inhabitant of 
heaven. Oh, if I may one day be reunited to her 
there! I know the time must come when my mind 
will be less engrossed by her idea, but I do not 
like to think of it. If I think of her less as on 
earth, God grant that I may never cease to reflect 
on her as inhabiting heaven, and never cease my 
humble endeavors (when it shall please God) to 
join her there. 

In looking at a few of the precious papers which 
are now my property I have found some memo- 
randums, amongst which she desires that one of 



1817.] LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN. 333 

her gold chains may be given to her god-daughter 
Louisa, and a lock of her hair be set for you. You 
can need no assurance, my dearest Fanny, that 
every request of your beloved aunt will be sacred 
with me. Be so good as to say whether you prefer 
a brooch or ring. God bless you, my dearest 
Fanny. 

Believe me, most affectionately yours, 

Cass. Elizth. Austen. 
Miss Knight, 

Godmersham Park, Canterbury. 



THE END. 



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